Each month, Eagle Radio in Great Bend is recognizing groups or individuals that make a big impact on our community. This Appreciation Month is highlighting teachers.
By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
When Roxann Keenan was attending St. Patrick’s Elementary School as a
child, she remembers you had to have encyclopedia books if you wanted to do any
research. The once student is teaching at the Great Bend elementary school, now
known as Holy Family School, and says a lot has changed.
“We use so much technology now,” said Keenan. “Back then, you had to read books
and encyclopedias."
Before she made the switch in resources, Keenan and her family moved from Hays
to Great Bend when she was in the third grade because her dad was transferred
by the oil field company in which he was employed.
Growing up, Keenan always enjoyed working with children. She took jobs
babysitting and at a daycare.
“When I graduated from Great Bend High School, I thought I wanted to be a
secretary,” said Keenan. “I just didn’t like it. I couldn’t keep up with the
typing.”
Changing her mind to become a teacher, Keenan went to Barton Community College
and then Fort Hays State University.
“With one of my teachers, everything had to be neat,” said Keenan. “He would
actually get out his credit card to make sure your slants were correct for
cursive writing.”
Keenan still gets to practice her meticulous cursive writing by introducing it
to her third grade class she teaches at Holy Family School.
“I have teachers that come in and say how beautiful my cursive handwriting is,”
joked Keenan. “If they had the teacher I had, they would know how to make these
letters too.”
Keenan was married in 1983 and graduated from Fort Hays State in 1984. Her
first job was in Hoisington’s Catholic school where she taught for three years.
“I remember having to make my own reading charts back then because we didn’t
have computers,” said Keenan. “I remember coming home several nights and
getting a big tablet to write everything out for the kids.”
Wanting to be in Great Bend, Keenan accepted a job at the former St. Rose
Elementary School. Once St. Rose and St. Patrick’s combined to form Holy
Family, Keenan came along to the school at the Broadway and McKinley
intersection. She has been teaching at a Catholic school her entire career,
spanning 37 years.
“Graduating college it was just about getting a job,” said Keenan. “Then I
found it was nice to be able to go to church and watch the kids grow
spiritually.”
Keenan said there is nothing like seeing a child grow, in many facets, from the
first day of school to the end of the year.
“By the end of the year, to see them blossom is the most rewarding,” said
Keenan. “I enjoy working with the kids. Sometimes you have to act like a kid.
Having fun is important in learning…be one of them.”
Handling 20 or more young-aged children every day at work takes a lot of
patience, something Keenan felt she learned from her dad.
“My dad was strict and expected a lot of respect,” said Keenan. “I’m that way.
Patience can run thin, but I feel like my patience is better now that I’m in
third grade where the students are more independent. I think that patience also
comes from raising my two boys with my husband.”
Along with friendliness among teachers and parents, Keenan noted she
appreciates the expectations that come from Holy Family.
“We expect a lot around here,” said Keenan. “When the kids leave here, we
always hear great things about them when they get to middle school and beyond.”
Read the previous Appreciation Month stories by clicking HERE.