For her outstanding contribution as a school teacher, Irene is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by Rita Batka of Wichita, KS.
After having retired in the spring of 1975, Miss Irene Batka died of cancer on July 12, 1984. She was a graduate of Emporia State Teachers College. Her career began with her teaching for two years, all eight grades, at the public school in Andale, Kansas. Then, for six years, she taught all eight grades at Daisy School on R.F.D 8 in Wichita, where Mid-Continent Airport is now situated. After that, she taught 3rd and 4th grades for one year in the public school in Johnson, Kansas. From there, she went to Lyons, Kansas, where she taught 3rd grade for nine years. The last twenty-two years were spent in the Wichita Public School System, teaching 3rd grade for sixteen years at Mueller and then for six years at Minneha. Miss Irene Batka, a graduate of Emporia State Teachers College taught for a total of forty years in Kansas. Irene Batka began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse, teaching all eight grades. She later taught elementary grades and eventually specialized in third grade. For her outstanding contributions as an elementary school teacher, Fern is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by Lois Balkenhol of Emporia, Kansas.
Fern Monroe was the nominee from USD #506 for the 1976 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Her selection was made from the 110 certified teachers in the district. The most important single qualification was a superior ability to inspire love of learning in all students. In her teaching career, Mrs. Monroe served three times as president of the county and local teachers’ association. She served three times on the district’s elementary textbook selection committee. She also used her talents to benefit her community. She was education Chairman for the American Cancer Society, is the Superintendent of the rural Zion Hill Church, as well as pianist, bible teacher, and coordinator of summer Vacation Bible School for local children. Fern Marshall Monroe was the eldest of six girls, whose father died in 1932 when she was 15. Living on a farm with limited income, the family managed to survive with the help of their loving neighbors. Her mother, a former school teacher, home-schooled her in her first year of school. After graduation from high school, with honors, in 1935, she took the Normal Training exams and started teaching all grades the next year in a rural, one-room schoolhouse. Fern supported the family almost entirely until her sisters, two and four years younger, followed the same teaching pattern. Their summers were spent furthering their education at Pittsburg State College, where Fern finished her Bachelor’s Degree in 1959. Fern was married in 1942, to Duane Monroe. They had a son, Duane, Jr. Unfortunately, Fern’s husband died in 1988. After teaching forty years, the last 23 in the same school, Fern retired in 1980. She became active in the Parsons chapter of AARP in 1981, and held most offices. She was given the Community Service Award in 1996, while holding the Secretary-Treasurer position of the AARP Past President’s organization. She has also held all offices in Alpha Delta Kappa sorority, the Altamont ABW White Cross (which sews for missions), and meets once a month socially with retired teachers. Would you believe this busy 83 year-young grandmother is now babysitting her seven year old grandchild, Carmen? What a LUCKY little girl! How do I know so much about this lady? She’s the one I typed tests and lesson plans for and the one who paid for my private piano lessons and the first brand new dress I ever owned. She’s my sister, whom I dearly love. Fern was a very conscientious teacher, spending most evenings and weekends grading papers and preparing for the next weeks’ lessons. For her outstanding contributions as an elementary and middle school teacher, Vicki is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by Marjorie Bearden.
Mrs. Strong did teach in a country school, but her career did not start there. One year ago, Mrs. Strong was the homebound teacher-coordinator for our adopted grandson, who was not able to attend his home school for medical reasons. As a professional teacher-coordinator in the Homebound Program, Mrs. Strong was responsible for curricula kindergarten through grade 12. Mrs. Strong had to work closely with medical professionals, guidance personnel, and the students’ teachers at their home school. It is an exhausting job because teacher-coordinators have a heavy case load which involves traveling and carrying textbooks. Mrs. Strong was also responsible for traveling to students’ homes to provide instruction in elementary, middle school, and high school curricula. She worked with students suffering from a variety of medical difficulties including: broken bones, high school pregnancy, juvenile laryngeal pappilomatosis, and depression. Mrs. Strong demonstrated her love for children by her dedication to their education. She went the “extra mile” to create developmentally appropriate and fun lessons for my grandson as well as other children. Mrs. Strong was also appointed by United States Senator Daschle and Governor Janklow to serve on the South Dakota Teachers Professional Practices and Standards Commission from 2002-2003. Mrs. Strong has also volunteered at the Literacy Center at Rushmore Mall and at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Among her other honors, Mrs. Strong was also an elementary teacher, taught adjunct at Black Hills State University, and was honored to be nominated for the National Teacher’s Hall of Fame in 1995. |
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