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Teacher 'Shocked' by Award

By PETER EULER
Morning Sun Staff Writer

Karen Bowen has been coming to school for 42 years and isn't surprised too easily anymore.

But when she was selected Wednesday as the winner of the Anna Fintel Excellence in Education Award, given annually to outstanding teachers in Pittsburg USD 250 and St. Mary's Parish schools, she was, to say the very least, surprised. Five nominees are selected each year, with all receiving a $1,000 cash award and the winner receiving a $6,000 award.

"I was shocked, very shocked," she said. "Everybody up there had such nice things to say and were very worthy, and I'm just really, really surprised. I'm just really honored.

"It just shows that your peers thought that you are deserving and thought that you did a really good job in the classroom."

Fintel taught in Capaldo (1915-18) and Franklin (1918-20) before teaching in Pittsburg USD 250 for 40 years. After reaching mandatory retirement age, she then taught an additional 10 years at St. Mary's-Colgan High School.

The donor of the awards, a former student of Fintel, remains anonymous.

The ceremony was emceed by Joe Dellasega and Jeff Elliott.

Elliott emphasized that while the teaching profession is often underemphasized, that is not the actual case.

"As today's society becomes more and more complex, we start to realize that the value of an education is a more critical component than ever as we go through life," he said. "If we all sit and think about it - teachers, coaches and educators - as a group, how much more you remember them from your youth and young adulthood ... than any other group of people."

Bowen said receiving the award at Nettels, where she has taught since 1977, made it extra special.

"It's especially nice having this at George Nettels, my home school."

As for what has kept Bowen in the profession so long, that was simple.

"The kids," she said. "Coming back and trying to help them do well in their classrooms and their studies."

Other nominees for the award were Lee Brunetti, a social science teacher at Pittsburg High School; Bev Pommier, seventh and eighth-grade teacher at St. Mary's Junior High School; Denise Redmond, first-grade teacher at Lakeside Elementary School; and Carole Watson, early years teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School.

The Morning Sun, (www.morningsun.net) April 27, 2006