Presidential Teaching

Kuhlman Named Top Math And Science Teacher In State

Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

AVON — An Avon teacher was recently honored of as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Math and Science Teaching.

Paul Kuhlman teaches math and science courses to students in both the middle school and high school grades in the Avon School District.

Kuhlman left for Washington D.C. on Tuesday, with meetings planned with President Barack Obama and his administration, members of the House and Congress, and members on the National Science Foundation.

Winners are selected by a panel of scientists, mathematicians and educators, following the initial selection process, which is done on the state level. This year’s winners receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, as well as an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events while in Washington.

He was nominated for the award in the Fall of 2010 by his former colleague Mike Barondeau, of Edmunds Central High School.

“When I first found out I was nominated, I saw that big packet,” he said, jokingly.

The process included a video-tape of class, with written information about that class lesson that was taught and what was done to help further education. The 15-page application was due in May 2011.

One of the things he looks forward to the most is meeting with the other teachers from all around the country that are also being honored.

“We can all learn so much for each other,” he said.

Kuhlman teaches physics, chemistry, physical science, geometry and seventh grade math at Avon. He is currently entering his 24th year of teaching, with 20 of those years at Avon. He spent his first four years of teaching at Waubay High School and Hosmer High School. He had previously been recognized as the 2008 South Dakota Outstanding Physical Science Teacher and the 2009 South Dakota teacher of the year.

Other area teachers that are being honored in Washington include Deborah Snook from Philip, SD; David Hartman from Lincoln, Neb. and John Christen from Beatrice, Neb.

One of the things that he said has changed in his years of teaching is that students now realize they need a background in math and science to further their career goals and education.

“I like to keep it fun,” Kuhlman said. “I tailor the curriculum to everyday things that students can relate to.”

Avon Superintendent Tom Culver said the community has really been receptive to Kuhlman’s teaching style and all that he does for his students and the school.

“A lot of the community is thankful that he is one of our teachers,” he said. “He goes above and beyond the call on everything he does.”

Matt Yost, secondary dean of students at Avon, said Kuhlman is one of the most dedicated individuals around.

“He shows complete dedication to his profession,” Yost said. “He works and will continue to get better each day.”

Culver noted that, of the 70-80 students enrolled in the high school, about 20-30 of them enroll in a physics or chemistry course with Kuhlman. He added that people might consider moving to Avon because of the recognition that Kuhlman is getting.

Culver went on to dispel the myth that smaller schools often mean fewer opportunities.

“There are outstanding teachers that are very capable in small schools,” he said. “Paul winning the award reinforces things we do in our building.”

Despite the high recognition, Kuhlman remains humble.

“This award is really a credit to the students and their parents, other teachers at the school and the Avon administration,” he said. “It’s a reward for their hard work that makes me look good.”

He is able to relate to students by using many demonstrations in class. He added that a lot more students want to do science fair projects because they realize they could take a trip somewhere if their project does well. Kuhlman even does a “turkey timers” lab around  Thanksgiving which focuses on how turkey timers actually work.

“Paul would be the first to say that he is just doing his job,” Culver said. “He truly cares about the kids and what they learn.”

Kuhlman has a unique teaching style, which distinguishes him from other teachers in the region, Yost said.

“No one word describes his teaching style.” Yost said. “It changes depending on the students and class needs.”

Kuhlman has shown a remarkable ability to motivate his students and make learning fun for them. Under his leadership, Avon has become a perennial competitor in national and international science fairs, with some of his students qualifying for events in New York, Texas, Georgia and Florida. He has even started a science night at the school, with the crowd often filling the entire gym.

“The one thing about Paul is that he sincerely wants his students to be successful,” Yost said. “Students know that he will give them any support that he can mentally and physically take on.”

Both Yost and Culver said that many former Avon students have gone into science and math fields, noting Kuhlman probably had a lot to do with their career choices.

“The students here are committed. They will show up for things after school and they want to be involved, which makes my job a lot easier,” he said. “The more a student is engaged, the more the teacher is engaged.”

He added a sincere thank you to his students, both past and present.

Despite the award, Kuhlman said he is far from done perfecting his teaching style and methods.

“It’s a nice reward and a nice honor,” he said. “However, it doesn’t mean I’m done. It’s only more incentive to work harder and keep at it.”

“When you walk around the school you never know what kind of smells or sounds are going to come from his science labs,” Yost said. “He is really a mad scientist at heart.”

He even has license plates that say “science” on his car.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal