Four Lamar University alumni will be inducted into the Educator Hall of Fame Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mary & John Gray Library Reception Center on the eighth floor. Inductees are Lamar University graduates who have distinguished themselves in education and teaching. Honorees for 2008 are Paula Kay Hussey, Doris Gay Kirkpatrick Sims, Kathryn Finch, and Charles T. Starcke .
Hussey ’98 received her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a specialization in early childhood. She was a Plummer Award recipient and graduated summa cum laude. She teaches first grade gifted and talented students at Langham Elementary in Nederland. In her nine years of teaching, she has taught first, third and fourth grades. She is currently working on a master of education degree at Lamar. “This is what I was born to do,” she said. “I feel it comes very naturally to me to have a positive effect on children. I know I make a difference.”
Sims earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1970 and the master of education in 1975. She teaches fifth-grade science at Cryar Intermediate School in Conroe. The honoree is the science department team leader and has developed the science scope and sequence curriculum and benchmark testing for fifth-grade science. “I seek to inspire and teach my students to be lifelong learners, and my students will inspire and teach me all my life,” she said.
Finch received her bachelor’s degree in education from North Texas State University and the master of education degree from Lamar in 1987. She completed her superintendent’s certification from Lamar in 2003. She has taught second through fifth grade and is currently director of elementary curriculum and instruction for Little Cypress-Mauriceville Consolidated ISD. Finch was twice named Teacher of the Year at Jones Elementary in West Orange-Cove ISD and nominated for District Teacher of the Year. She has coordinated and designed electronic lesson plans for teachers and is responsible for the Acceleration and Title II grants. “Each position has been very different in many ways but has given me the opportunity to work with the teachers, students, and the community,” she said. “I absolutely love what I do.”
Starcke received the bachelor’s degree from Lamar in 1961. Before retiring, he taught math at Port Neches-Groves before transferring to South Park High School to teach math and coach baseball. Under his leadership as principal, South Park initiated programs to challenge all levels of students. He has received many awards including Who’s Who in American Education, Outstanding Secondary Educator of America and nominee for Beaumont Chapter Texas A&M Club Teacher of the Year. His philosophy is to never forget that the purpose of school is to effectively educate our youth.
The Educator Hall of Fame is an annual event hosted by the College of Education and Human Development to honor Lamar graduates for their hard work and dedication to education. For more information, contact Sarah Matheny, Induction Committee Chair, at 880-8702.
