1983 Award Winners

Biographies below were included in the program for the year listed here and were current as of that time.

Catherine Ann Brown

Math Teacher

Emporia High School

USD 253 Emporia

Brown has been on the faculty of Emporia High School since 1964. A Topeka native, Brown was graduated from Osage City High School. She received her B.S. degree in education in 1953 from Emporia State University. She has taken 50 hours beyond her bachelor's degree at Emporia State.

In addition to her teaching duties, Brown has been a Kayette sponsor and she served as the first head of the math department from 1968-72 . She is a member of the National Education Association , the Kansas National Education Association, the Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council of Mathematics, and several other professional organizations. She is also involved in other school, church and community activities.

"My main goal in teaching," explains Brown, "is not to 'turn off the students when it comes to math. I hope that they'll develop an interest in or a liking for math - or, at least, a more positive attitude. I try to work Emporia to develop the self-confidence of the students."

To accomplish this goal, Brown uses a variety of approaches. She has used individual study sessions, short-term courses, guest speakers, and math-centered projects. The math project topics have included the history of math, development of math games, and the use of math in original artwork.

In 1981, one of Brown's former students established a permanently endowed scholarship in her honor. The scholarship is awarded annually to an Emporia High graduating senior who plans to do additional study in mathematics or science.

"Mrs. Brown is a technically capable instructor," wrote one colleague, "but her genuine concern for each student is the characteristic which makes her most valuable as a model for those preparing to teach."

Elaine Fowler Bryant

English Teacher

Pittsburg High School

USD 250 Pittsburg

Bryant has been a member of the Pittsburg High School English faculty since 1971. Since 1977, she has served as the department chairperson. She also teaches English part-time for Pittsbu'rg State University.

A native of Nevada, Mo., Bryant was graduated from Sheldon High School. She received her B.S. degree in education in 1965 and her M.S. degree in education in 196 7, both from Pittsburg State University.

Bryant's philosophy of life is: "Live each day to its fullest." According to her colleagues, Bryant is one who "gives all and does all for others."

Bryant's effectiveness can be seen in her students. Over the years, many of her students have been recognized for their writing ability by winning essay contests and having their work printed in various literary publications.

At Pittsburg High, Bryant sponsors several clubs and the National Honor Society. She is vice-president of the Kansas Kappa Kappa Iota chapter.

Bryant is a member of several professional organizations, including the Pittsburg Education Association, the Kansas-NEA, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Kansas Association of English. She is a member of several honorary organizations, including Pi Omega Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Sigma Tau Delta. Bryant is also active in a number of community organizations and activities.

"Elaine is effective, organized, knowledgeable, creative, dedicated, and loving," one colleague wrote. "She constantly encourages her students to expand their horizons by learning how to write effectively. She is a special lady and a superb teacher."

"Elaine's teaching has never been merely a job," wrote another colleague. "She is an inspiration not only to her students, but to her fellow teachers."

Betty Holderread

Elementary Science Coordinator

Newton USD 373

Holderread has been teaching science in the Newton school district since 1956. She has been the elementary science coordinator for the district since 1969.

Holderread was born in Ripley, Okla., and was graduated from Cushing (Okla.) High School. She received her A.B. degree in 1956 from McPherson College and her M.A. degree in 1968 from Michigan State University.

A teacher's role in education, Holderread believes, is "to provide a climate that stimulates an enthusiastic questioning attitude within the child for the subject matter; encourages exploratory thought, creativity, and perception of relationships; and finally enhances a love and joy of learning within the child."

During her career, Holderread has received several awards. In 1982, her science program was selected as one of the 12 best in the nation by the National Science Teachers Association. Holderread has been Newton's Woman of the Year in Education, and she is listed in Who 's Who of American Women and Notable Americans and International Biographical Dictionary.

Holderread is a member of the National Education Association, the Kansas-NEA, the Kansas Association of Science Teachers, and the National Supervisors of Science Education Association. She is a member of the Harvey County Parks Commission, the Association for Childhood Education, and the Kansas Advisory Council of Environmental Education.

"Miss Holderread made science fun and exciting," wrote one of her students. "She also made sure everyone understood what we were learning. If we didn't understand, she would teach it another way that was easier to understand. She taught us to respect nature and all life forms."

Lois McClure

Special Education Teacher

Cunningham Special Education School

USD 332 Cunningham

McClure teaches special education for levels three and four dependent-semidependent. She has been teaching in the Cunningham Special Education School since 1975. She taught special education in Kingman from 1966-75. McClure's teaching career began in 1936 when she taught grades 1-4 in Rockwood, Ill.

A native of Ava, Ill., McClure was graduated from University High School in Carbondale, Ill . She received her B.S. degree from City College in New York City and a special education certificate from New York University, both in 1959. In 1967, she received her master's degree from Wichita State University.

In 1979, McClure was named Outstanding Volunteer by the Kansas Mental Health Association. In 1980, McClure was named Exceptional Child Educator by the Chikaskia chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children.

McClure is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, the Association for Retarded Citizens, the South Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative (SCK-SEC), the National Education Association, and the Kansas-NEA. She is also active in the Farm Bureau, the Mental Health Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Morgan Horse Association, and the Pretty Prairie United Methodist Church.

"My mother has done great things for her handicapped students," wrote McClure's daughter. "She never reserved a hug, refused a smile. She never held back. She gave and gave and gave."

"I personally like the way Lois can incorporate humor, wit, firmness and a 'straight-face' in the multitude of demands placed on her daily," wrote one colleague. "You can easily see her compassion as she gently takes a student to one side, from time to time, to give a listening ear and counsel."

Barry L. Schartz

Grades 7-12 Science Teacher

Nashville-Zenda High School

USD 332 Cunningham

Schartz has taught at Nashville-Zenda High School since 197 5. He teaches science for grades 7 -12 and Advanced Computer I and II. Schartz has been the junior class sponsor since 1977 and he is involved in a number of other activities at the high school.

Born in Great Bend, Schartz was graduated from Ellinwood Rural High School. He received his B.S. degree in 1970 from Kansas State University and his M.S. degree in 1975 from Emporia State University.

Schartz's teaching philosophy is simple and effective. He believes if he can get the students' attention and interest by providing them with a wide variety of experiences, two things will happen: 1) there will be fewer discipline problems, and 2) students will learn more and be better prepared to meet the challenges they will face in the future.

"Barry expects the best from his students and gets their best in return," wrote one colleague. "He takes the time to get to know each student as an individual because he likes people and he wants to fully understand each one of them. Barry was made to teach. He has the patience, the excitement, the creativeness, and the ability to be recognized as a master teacher."

Schartz says he has an intense desire to "sample as much of life as possible." He is active in many professional organizations, including the Kansas Association of Biology Teachers, the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science, the National Geographic Society, and the National Education Association. He has run for state representative of the 101st District. He is an adventuresome mountain climber, accomplished pianist, and avid photographer.

Sally McCabe Shipley

Forensics, Speech, and Radio/Television Teacher

Shawnee Mission West High School

USD 512 Shawnee Mission

Shipley has taught forensics, speech, and radio/ television at Shawnee Mission West High School since 1963. She initiated both the forensics and radio/ television programs at West. Since 1970, every Shawnee Mission West forensics team that has entered a contest has won at least one trophy. Sixteen of Shipley's students have advanced to national competition, with 11 of those placing in the Top 16 and one winning first in the nation.

"Students are human beings whose individuality deserves a teacher's respect," Shipley says in describing her teaching philosophy. "If we as teachers can respect students and treat them as individuals, perhaps they can respect themselves and others. Perhaps then, they can achieve their potential."

Shipley was born in Salina and was graduated from Salina High School. In 1960, she was graduated cum laude from Marymount College with a B.A. degree. She received her M.A. degree in 1967 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

She is a member of several professional organizations, including the International Thespians, the National Forensics League, the National Education Association, and the Kansas-National Education Association. During her career, she has won a number of awards for her work in forensics.

"Sally Shipley teaches people how to communicate," wrote a former student who is now a communications professional. "Those who have been privileged to be her students and to work with her as a colleague will one and all tell you she achieves remarkable success in the endeavor. If more people could be taught to communicate like Sally Shipley teaches the skill, we would have far fewer 'failures to communicate' in our society."

Doris Velen

Library Media Specialist

Roosevelt and Green Valley Elementary Schools

USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden

Velen has worked in USD 383 since 1943. From 1943-75, she was a classroom teacher at Bluemont Elementary School. She was librarian for Theodore Roosevelt and Ogden elementary schools from 1975-77. Since 1977, she has been library media specialist for Roosevelt and Green Valley elementary schools.

Velen was born in Cleburne and was graduated from Cleburne Rural High School. She received her 60-hour teaching certificate in 1938 from Bethany College in Lindsborg. In 1941, she received her life teaching certificate from Emporia State University. She received her B.S. degree in 1948 and her M.S. degree in 1968, both from Kansas State University.

A library, Velen says, is a place for "boys and girls to browse and to read, to research and to explore, to enjoy and to create, or perhaps to find a quiet comer to dream a bit." Libraries are also great resources of new knowledge and information, according to Velen.

Velen has received the Women in Communication Headliner Award and in 1975 she was the International Women's Year Honoree.

Velen is an authority on Laura Ingalls Wilder. Velen is also dedicated to the conservation and preservation of natural resources. She is a member of several conservation organizations.

Velen is a member of the Manhattan and Kansas National Education Associations, the American Library Association, the Kansas Association of School Librarians, and Delta Kappa Gamma. She is also active in the First Lutheran Church and the Kansas State Historical Society.

"Doris is a marvel to watch, whether in telling a story, asking questions, giving directions, or listening to a child," wrote one colleague. "She has that 'something' that reaches out to others."

Being a Master Teacher runs in the Velen family. Velen's sister, Leona, was named a Kansas Master Teacher in 1972.