Knox High School Teacher Wins Department of Education Essay Contest

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Department of Education issued a unique challenge to the teachers this spring. They presented a contest in which a staff member was asked to write a six-word essay about a colleague or about the school. Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa said one of the teachers at Knox was selected as a winner in the contest.

“Mary Kleinfehn, one of the teachers at the high school who is actually going to retire at the end of the year – she’s taught Special Ed here for many years – wrote her six-word essay about Curriculum Director Peggy Shidaker. She has worked with her for many years. Two weeks ago, the Department of Education picked six winners from around the state and Mrs. Kleinfehn’s essay was selected as the winner from the Northwest region of the state,” said Gappa.

Kleinfehn was recognized at the State Capitol Building and presented her essay to the officials at the Department of Education and her peers. The Knox Community School Board members recognized her for the effort during the Board’s recent meeting.

The winning essay read, “Most dedicated educator, colleague there is.”