Two inspirational high school teachers will be honored at Wartburg College’s Commencement thanks to two graduating seniors.
Al Kerns of Aplington-Parkersburg and Mike Williams of Keota will be honored with Wartburg’s Outstanding High School Teacher Award at Commencement Sunday, May 26.
Since 2006 the award has recognized high school teachers who inspired students in Wartburg’s graduating class. The honorees receive $500, and a $500 scholarship is awarded to a rising senior from their high schools.
Kerns, who teaches psychology, sociology and leadership courses, was nominated by social work major Katelyn Schwennen.
“One of Mr. Kern’s greatest strengths both as a teacher and as a human being was his apparent thirst for knowledge,” Schwennen said. “He inspired learning through encouragement and excitement about new things he learned about and shared with his students.”
Kerns began as a physical education teacher at Hudson High School before accepting a position at Parkersburg Community School in 1978. He served as head girls track coach from 1978 to 2007, earning one state championship and having four runners-up for the district, which merged with Aplington schools.
Kerns also worked with legendary football coach Ed Thomas, helping coach two state championship teams.
“Mr. Kerns always seemed to find a way to inspire me and my track team to accomplish goals which seemed incomprehensible and unachievable at times,” Schwennen said. “He inspired us to reach higher and push harder each and every day through a daily motivational speech lasting for 10 to 15 minutes before practice.”
Kerns, an active member of First Congregational Church in Parkersburg, was named Parkersburg Citizen of the Year in 2003.
He received an associate’s degree from Iowa Lakes Community College in 1975 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1977.
Mike Williams, science instructor and science department chair at Keota High School from 1970 to 2008, was nominated by biology major Shelby Sieren.
“Mr. Williams not only inspired me to pursue my passion for biology, but he gave me the confidence that I could excel in a rigorous and challenging program and encouraged me to attend Wartburg College for its strong biology program,” Sieren said.
Williams also taught driver’s education, coached junior high teams, served as student council adviser, was a blood drive sponsor, homecoming sponsor and Keota Education Association president and chief negotiator.
He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Committee for the College of Natural Sciences at UNI and is on the Keota Education Foundation board of directors.
“Mr. Williams inspired his students by building close relationships that last a lifetime,” Sieren said. “He not only deeply cared about each student’s academic success, but he inspired their personal growth and development. In this way, he inspired learning by building trust and credibility with every student that he taught.”
Williams earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology teaching from the University of Northern Iowa in 1970 and a Master of Arts degree in science education from Truman State University in 1985.