Kempf chosen as Teacher of Year

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June 2, 2010 • The Signal Staff
Filed under Feature, Local, News, Top Stories

Experience can have a varying impact on things as they age. For hall-of-fame athletes, age can deteriorate their ability to play the game. However, for finer items such as wines, cheeses, and some educators, character, depth and complexity develop with age. For Science Teacher John Kempf, this year’s recipient of the Fort Atkinson High School Teacher of the Year award, experience has developed Kempf into the iconic image of a great educator.
“I cannot think of a teacher more deserving of this award. I have known Mr. Kempf for many years. In fact, I’m pretty confident that I can say that I have had the opportunity to watch him develop as a true Master Teacher,” Science Teacher and Former Student Roger Rumppe said.
For the first time in recent history, voting for the Teacher of the Year (TOY) award was done entirely by the student body. Kempf was the clear winner, earning nearly 70 votes more than his closest competition. The genuine appreciation and love felt for Kempf was additionally proven by the flood of quotes and interviews received by The Signal regarding the outstanding qualities that make Kempf so memorable.
Above all else, Kempf is consistently noted by colleagues, former students, and current students as a “truly professional” educator.
“When I had Mr. Kempf for advanced biology/physiology (yes, in high school), he was still a ‘rookie’ teacher and we certainly tried to get the best of him at every opportunity. Unfortunately, he was usually was ahead of us and our scheming. I can honestly say that the learning that occurred in his classroom reinforced my interest in science and encouraged me to pursue my present career,” Rumppe said. Kempf ’s consistent enthusiasm for teaching and for his science content is evident to his current students as well.

“Mr. Kempf has a very laid back teaching style which makes everyone in his class comfortable. Often when he is giving a lecture or explaining something he gets really excited and grabs everyone’s attention by raising his voice or doing something crazy. He gets us excited about a science topic because he is excited also,” Senior Leah Dahl said.
The key to his teaching success, however, may be quite simple. His focus remains on each students’ beliefs and thoughts about the concepts he encourages them to explore. The numerous roles Kempf has played in his years at Fort have endeared him to many. Kempf has been a consistent supporter of the B.A.S.I.C. organization founded and run by students.
“To summarize what Mr. Kempf has done for the B.A.S.I.C. club would take more than a few sentences. He has been a huge help in keeping the club running and on track. He has made his room available for meetings and weekly Friday devotionals. Mr. Kempf will be missed by all B.A.S.I.C. members. e things he has done for the club are greatly appreciated,” Junior Rose Filipiak said.
Kempf has added many positive elements to the high school curriculum in his time as a teacher. His contribution in creating the Medical Occupations course work has filled a void in the academic offerings at the school. These courses have been the launching pad for many students entering the medical field a er high school. Teachers of the Year o en focus on more than just curricular pursuits. Kempf has also served as a personal mentor to many students throughout the years.

“Mr. Kempf is a great guy and a cool teacher. We always have a lot of fun and a ton of laughter in our homeroom. From competing with Frey’s homeroom to debating the rules of checkers, it’s always a blast,” Senior Josh Hargan said.
Others have echoed Hargan’s statement.
“He is always looking out for our best interest. He is encouraging and really a great person to look up to,” Sophomore Amber Foerster said.
His guidance has extended into more personal areas of students’ lives as well.

“Mr. Kempf has helped me a lot. He has helped me grow in my faith, and he is always there to offer some good advice. I have been blessed to know him, and I know that the science department will be a lot different next year without him,” Hargan said.
Successful educators understand that content and guidance alone are only elective tools for some students. Others require more experimental methodology in order to reach them. Kempf ’s humorous, goofy personality is one of the many reasons why he is so appreciated.

“His teaching style is really easy to pick up. He is one of the most fun teachers I have ever had in my entire schooling career. He is really funny and knows where the line between joking and keeping the class on-task and just getting off task,” Junior Mike Gartland said.
For others, the humor was almost necessary to make it through the day. at humor will be sorely missed next year as Kempf has announced his retirement from teaching at the end of this year. However, it is not his humor alone that will be missed.
“John has made coming to work the last 22 years enjoyable. From his ridiculous polyester pants, to the occasional rants that can be heard down the hallway, John has been a little ray of sunshine in our day-to-day survival. He has always been there for a few kind words when the day is going bad, shared good advice when I was ready to blow my stack, or just been a good listener when I need to vent,” Rumppe said.
Kempf ’s words regarding his ability to mix his personal and professional life provides a clear understanding of just how selflessly Kempf has dedicated himself to the service of others throughout his career.

“As a Christian, I remember the idea of working for God as opposed to working just for man. It gives me a sense of why I’m doing what I’m doing, using my talents
and abilities to help others,” Kempf said.

Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)

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