School district lauds top teachers

Free State's Sam Rabiola, Cordley's Bev Hyde now in contention for state honors

Bev Hyde had no idea what was in store for her.

Sam Rabiola is a 2005 Teachers of the Year in the Lawrence school district. Rabiola is an English teacher and chairman of the department at Free State High School.

“I was very much surprised and very humbled,” she said Monday, minutes after being named the Lawrence school district’s 2005 Elementary Teacher of the Year during an impromptu assembly.

Sam Rabiola, too, was surprised Monday when several school officials entered his humanities classroom at Free State High School.

“This is a unique honor, not only for Sam but for our school as well,” said Free State Principal Joe Snyder, shortly after Rabiola was named Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Rabiola’s students responded with a standing ovation.

“Honestly, he’s my favorite teacher here at Free State,” said Charlie Naramore, a junior. “He’s very organized. He’s enthusiastic about everything you do, and he’s not patronizing at all. He really helps you relate to everything you’re learning.”

Rabiola has taught English at Free State for more than nine years; earlier, he taught at Lawrence High School for eight years. He is currently president of the Lawrence Education Assn.

Bev Hyde is a 2005 Teachers of the Year in the Lawrence school district. Hyde teaches second grade at Cordley School. After a school assembly on Monday, Hyde received a hug from third-grader Chris Bowers.

Clearly caught off-guard, Rabiola said, “I enjoy getting to teach every day. It’s fun.”

Hyde has been with the Lawrence school district since 1975, starting as a physical education teacher at Sunset Hill and Cordley schools. After eight years, she began teaching second grade at Cordley.

Hyde, 52, said she was not planning to retire anytime soon. “Oh, no,” she said, smiling. “I’m still young. I have a few more years in me.”

“She’s a great teacher,” said Isabel Rummell, one of Hyde’s students. “She helps kids. She helps you if you’re struggling, and she always has time for a little fun.”

The awards were based on a nomination process open to students, parents, teachers and staff. Winners were chosen by a three-member panel that comprises past Teachers of the Year.

video 6News video: Lawrence school district honors Teachers of the Year

Hyde’s and Rabiola’s names will be forwarded to the Kansas Board of Education for consideration for state Teacher of the Year honors.

¢ 2004: Debby Francisco, Deerfield School, and Lanell Finneran, district therapeutic classroom.¢ 2003: Brenda Meyers, Quail Run School, and Pat Nemchock, Lawrence High School.¢ 2002: Adela Solis, East Heights School, and Jeanne Averill, LHS.¢ 2001: Gretchen Lehman, Kennedy School, and Pamela Bushouse, Free State High School.¢ 2000: Jan Dicker, Grant School, and Judi Wolfe, FSHS.¢ 1999: Jeff McAdoo, Quail Run, and Michel Loomis, Central Junior High School.¢ 1998: Sherry Nelson, Sunflower School.¢ 1997: Elaine Schmidt, Quail Run/special services.¢ 1996: Helen Tuley, Hillcrest School.¢ 1995: Sandra Sanders, Cordley School.¢ 1994: Patti Bailey, LHS.¢ 1993: Terry Tuckwin, Woodlawn School.¢ 1992: Kathy von Ende, CJHS.¢ 1991: Mickey Woolard, New York School.¢ 1990: Tom Christie, Cordley. Prior to 1999, the district honored one teacher each year.