The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High

Pathfinder

Publications adviser Debra Klevens awarded Teacher of the Year

Publications+Adviser+Debra+Klevens+poses+for+the+Administrative+Team+with+her+fourth+hour+yearbook+class+after+she+was+awarded+Teacher+of+the+Year.
Publications Adviser Debra Klevens poses for the Administrative Team with her fourth hour yearbook class after she was awarded Teacher of the Year.

Newspaper and yearbook teacher, Debra Klevens received the Teacher of the Year award for the 2016-2017 school year after dedicating 18 years to Parkway West High.

The administrative team and support staff entered into room 3000 holding a large bouquet of flowers during the middle of fourth hour on Friday, Dec. 2.

“Dr. Mitchell was holding flowers and said he had an announcement to make, that Mrs. Klevens was voted the Teacher of the Year by an overwhelming amount of her peers. Mrs. Klevens was super excited, and she even started crying. Then she called her husband to tell him the news, it was really touching,” fourth hour Yearbook I student senior Sarah Ayers said.

Our connection doesn’t end after room 3000.

— Debra Klevens

Klevens has advised the Pathfinder online newspaper for five years and the Pawesehi Yearbook for 18.

“Journalism provides me with tools for students to explore their creativity, collaborate with peers, cooperate and gain communication skills that will help them in any career path they choose,” Klevens said. “I aim to find students passions, to help them find a career path and set them apart from the competition in the workforce.”

Pawesehi, the student run yearbook was awarded a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Award and will receive it March 17.  The Pawesehi also earned the Best of Show trophy at the Journalism Education Association National Convention in November. The Pathfinder won seventh place Best of Show.

“Although she is our teacher, she is more of a mentor who takes our education outside of the classroom, and makes our class have a more professional setting. She has a lot of expertise and knows that she can help us become a better community,” Pathfinder Editor-in-Chief Emily Dickson said.

Students enrolled in publications courses are provided real world opportunities to run a business out of room 3000.

“I’m grateful for every student I have had the opportunity to teach over the years.  They have each shaped me into the teacher I am today,” Klevens said.  “It is fun to see where life takes them after our experiences together.  Our connection doesn’t end after room 3000.”

Leave a Comment
Donate to Pathfinder
$175
$800
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Parkway West High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
About the Contributor
Maddie Cooke, STAFF WRITER
Grade:  12 Years on Staff:  4 If you were a fictional character, who would you be?  Barry the Bee Does the toilet paper go over or under on the roll?  Over...duh. How many alarms do you set in the morning to get up on time?  Six to be exact. Favorite Quote:  "Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." -Michael Scott, Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin Inc.
Donate to Pathfinder
$175
$800
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

Please use your own name and keep your comments respectful!
All Pathfinder Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activate Search
The Official Student News Site of Parkway West High
Publications adviser Debra Klevens awarded Teacher of the Year