North Butler High School Teacher Honored at Banquet

Related Media

L to R: IFB Executive Director, Denny Presnall, Tim Juhl, ISEA Vice-President, Tammy Wawro

DES MOINES, IA (11/04/2009)(readMedia)-- Tim Juhl, an instrumental music teacher from North Butler High School in Greene, has been named a 2009 Excellence in Education Award runner-up. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), the Iowa Farm Bureau, WHO Radio, KDSM Fox 17, and STAPLES. Juhl was among a top field of over 50 teachers-all nominated by colleagues, students, parents, and community members because of the difference they make every day in the lives of Iowa's schoolchildren.

"This award is truly about recognizing the educators who work hard on a daily basis and rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve," said Chris Bern, president of the ISEA. "All of the nominations are a testament to the dedication and compassion Iowa educators have for their students and demonstrate how educators go above and beyond the scope of their work and change the lives of the students they teach."

While Juhl is a high school music teacher, his students continue on to become Division I college musicians and many perform as Hawkeyes, Cyclones, and Panthers. He has taught many All-State students and has prepared at least one student to march for the World Class Drum and Bugle Corps from Rosemont, IL.

"Tim's dedication is evident in the quality and quantity of first-class music students he graduates from North Butler, but even more than that is the respect and long-term love of music that he instills," Bern added. "He teaches from the heart and his students know and value his leadership and guidance. Tim is an inspiration and that's what this Award is all about".

Now in its eleventh year, the 2009 Excellence in Education Award honors the countless educators across the state that, like Tim Juhl, go the extra mile to make a difference. Nominations were solicited beginning in August through September 16, and forms were available from the ISEA and at local county Farm Bureau offices.

Juhl received a gift certificate from STAPLES during an awards ceremony and banquet on Tuesday, October 20, at the Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines, courtesy of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

The winner of the 2009 Excellence in Education Award is Nancy Kunickis, a Language Arts teacher at Laurens-Marathon Community Middle School in Laurens. Other runners-up are Annette Baker, an English teacher at South Hardin High School in Eldora; Mike Earll, a Vocational Agriculture teacher at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School in Sibley; and Sergeant Major Michael Matson, an Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp instructor at Davenport Central High School.

-- 30 --

The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic!