Keri Austin-Janousek “has never met a student whom she didn’t feel she could reach if she tried long and hard enough,” said Carolyn Derusseau, a former teacher at West Junior High. “She works untold hours creating exciting and challenging ways for kids to learn.”

A Free State High School English teacher, Austin-Janousek has been chosen as the school district’s 2005 Lawrence Master Teacher. She was honored Friday in a surprise ceremony.

She taught at West for nine years and in Kansas City, Kan., for two years. She graduated from Kansas University.

Austin-Janousek helps her students learn by experiencing things, said West teacher Karen Cochran.

“For instance, after reading a Dickens novel, they celebrate by holding a Victorian tea,” Cochran said. “They write letters of advice to Romeo in Elizabethan English and discuss how their class might do on a deserted island like ‘Lord of the Flies.'”

The district chooses a master teacher each year and nominates this teacher for Emporia State University’s Kansas Master Teacher program.

Master teachers must have taught for at least five years.

Keri Austin-Janousek, English teacher at Free State High School, was presented with the 2005 Lawrence Master Teacher award. Austin-Janousek stands in front of her class Friday as Supt. Randy Weseman announces the award.

They represent outstanding professional service, effective teaching, community service and zeal in promoting the advancement of education.

In 2003-2004, Lawrence Master Teacher Pat Grzenda was honored as one of seven Kansas Master Teachers.

Other recent Lawrence Master Teachers include Pamela Williams of Broken Arrow School and Sherry Slade of Free State High School.