For his outstanding contributions as a seventh and eighth grade principal, Wayne is recognized on the Donors’ Wall by Emporia Middle School Staff of 1995 and Retirees of Emporia, Kansas. According to them:
Mr. Bastin was “Mr. Lowther Middle School’ of Emporia, Kansas, for many years. As principal of the school, he was the guiding force steering the school as it developed from a junior high school across from the high school in downtown Emporia, to the middle school in two buildings straddling Sixth Avenue, to a new facility on the west side, a result of his long hours dedicated to seeing that details were attended to so that the school could run smoothly. His calm, quiet demeanor prevailed whether in a classroom in his early years of teaching and coaching in Hamilton, Kansas, as a junior high school social studies teacher in Emporia, or as a principal of Emporia Middle School. Mr. Bastin was special because he could be counted on for fair handling of all situations. He would review all sides of an issue and then unflinchingly take his stand. For these reasons we consider Mr. J. Wayne Bastin to be truly a brick in the wall of education. Wayne taught social studies for thirteen years in Westmoreland; Hamilton; and Emporia, Kansas. He was also the principal for the Lowther Middle School in Emporia for twenty-seven years and is currently retired. Go For his outstanding contributions as a high school language arts and speech teacher, Jason is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by William W., Teresa A. and Leah A. McGinnis of Scranton, Kansas.
Mr. Harris came to Lyndon as a first year teacher in 1993, the year our daughter Leah was a Senior. Mr. Harris was her speech teacher, who encouraged her to stand up for her moral beliefs because he did. He made the classroom totally relaxed and the students could laugh uncontrollably. For our daughter, Leah, this kind of relaxed atmosphere made her want to learn. Because of Mr. Harris and the speech class he taught, our daughter formed a different and better view of life-one which gave her confidence to share her beliefs and Christ’s love for the world. Mr. Harris also directed Leah in two school plays and was also her forensics coach, which gave Leah even more confidence in herself. Mr. Harris was in our home and is a delightful person. We love him. Jason Harris taught language arts and speech to high school students in Lyndon, Kansas for two years. For his outstanding contributions as a 12th grade government teacher, James Gardner is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by Helen Case of Newton, Kansas.
James Gardner applied for a social studies position at the El Dorado High School in 1969, following his graduation from Oklahoma State University that spring. He was hired by the El Dorado School Board and spent his entire teaching career, thirty-two years, in that position. He was selected as Chairman of the Social Studies Department in 1973, and help that position for twenty-eight years. James was also the Senior class sponsor for twenty-two years. He was state President of the Kansas Council for Social Studies, on the Board of Directors for Kansas National Education Association, President of the El Dorado NEA and President of UNISERV. James was a State Master Teacher in 1990, a finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year in 1982, and received the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce Golden Apple award in 1998. James was an excellent teacher who taught “hands on” and his students called him “Mr. Government.” Comments from former students such as, “you have influenced me to be a teacher,” “I plan to go into politics,” “you helped me survive a trying year at home,” “why don’t you run for office,” or “I thought you’d like to know, I voted for the first time today,” were some of the greatest rewards of his life, which he will always cherish. A young woman who gave James the credit for her decision to become a teacher, is not principal at Newton, Kansas Middle School. James wanted his students to excel and to enjoy themselves while learning. From 1983 to 1987, his students’ projects for the National History Day contests won two first place, five second place, and three third place awards. Seven of those projects qualified and competed in the National contest in Washington D.C. Tow projects reached the finals, and one was awarded the Outstanding entry from the Sate of Kansas. One of the most interesting activities was the Mayoral Campaign project, which was based on the real campaign which determines the winner of an election. This project was superb and took the students through every facet necessary in a successful campaign. The students did all the work under the direction of Mr. Gardner. This project involved the school, the community, the merchants, the voters, the new media, and most of all the students and their parents. Other projects such as the pros and cons of the Electoral College election system were also a part of the government course. In 1973, James was selected as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America. Even though his love was teaching and his students always came first, James did not shirk “time off duties.” For many years, until retirement, James and his wife Judy, a home economics teacher, operated the concession stand at all home athletic functions, which amounted to thirty-five to forty events during the year and sometimes demanded as many as thirty-four hours a week. Probably no one in the El Dorado High School ever knew how to fix hot dogs as well as James and Judy Gardner. Yes, James Gardner deserves to have a brick in the National Teachers Wall of Fame, fir it will be an honor to one who was committee to giving his best as he taught young people to become involved in the government of their country and the welfare of those who, with pride, sing God Bless America. The Gardners are very dear friends of mine. I knew when I interviewed James he would make a great teacher, and I was not wrong. For his outstanding contributions as an art coordinator, Harry is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by Village Elementary School students, parents, and staff of Emporia, Kansas.
A graduate of both Bethany College and the University of Kansas, Harry taught art in all the elementary schools in Emporia, Kansas, coordinated the Emporia Schools Christmas Program, and directed remodeling of nearly every school in town. At Village Elementary School, his legacy includes the ceramic artistic bricks, which line the school hallways; the decor for the Village Library Media Center, office, and kindergarten rooms; the Colonial Crafts projects, which fourth graders have enjoyed; the art shows at Flint Hills Mall and The National Teachers Hall of Fame; the display panel, which Village Elementary School has at the Flint Hills Mall and Food-4-Less; countless Christmas projects, which children made for their parents; and countless art displays. This is dedicated to Harry Hart, Art Coordinator for the Emporia Public Schools, by the Village Elementary School students, parents, and staff upon his retirement after thirty-seven years in the Emporia Public Schools. For his outstanding contributions as a graduate adviser and professor, Laurence is recognized on the Donor’s Wall of Fame by Dr. Joseph P Petro of Pemproke Pines, Florida.
According to Dr Petro: I first met Dr. Smith when I was a graduate student at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Smith was a professor in the department of administration and supervision. I was bad with first impressions and wasn’t impressed with Dr. Smith in the first class I took with him. His lectures were deep and I was tired from teaching all day. He talked with a soft voice and I was thinking about dinner after a long drive to the university. One time, I fell asleep in one of his classes. He should have thrown me out. Instead, he was very kind and even smiled. After the above class, I didn’t see him again until I was completing my dissertation. I was at a point where everything seemed to be going wrong and falling apart. My committee chair suggested I go see ‘Larry’. I can still remember the night that I walked into his classroom feeling totally defeated. After the class was dismissed, I told him my situation. Dr. Smith has a soft voice and a shy smile. He hugged me and told me not to worry and that he would help me. He took me under his wing and the dissertation was completed. I could go on and on about this man: his unique philosophy of education, his care and assistance to countless educators and students. The schools of South Florida have profited by way of the leaders whom he directed. He is an unsung hero that needs to be acknowledged. Laurence Smith is one of those people in my life who has left an indelible mark on my soul. For his outstanding contributions as a Principal and Superintendent, Dan is recognized on the Donors’ Wall of Fame by Jon Hegwood, Alan Hegwood, Melanie Schoeborn, and Rodney and Pam Bush of Morrison, Illinois.
Dan was my elementary Principal. He also became my sixth grade coach. Some of my fondest memories of him are of the years he spent dedicating his time to my formative years in sports. It still makes me smile when I think of him driving his car around the grass behind the school measuring a course for a track meet. I was influenced by his style and ingenuity because thirty years ago he made an impression that remains with me today. “You do what you have to do with what you have to work with.” Dan was involved in education for thirty years. He was a Principal, Superintendent, coach, sixth grade and physical education teacher. |
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