INMAN, Kan. — Ad Astra Radio is proud to announce Joe Pfannenstiel, longtime coach, teacher and school counselor at Inman Jr/Sr High School, as this month’s recipient of the Classroom Hero Award presented by Heartland Credit Union.
Each month, Ad Astra Radio honors a different educator, selected from community nominations, to receive the Classroom Hero Award, along with a “hero” gift basket, courtesy of community partners Heartland Credit Union, Midway Motors of Hutchinson, Stutzman’s Greenhouse, Hutch Putt and The Foto Cowboy.
Mr. Pfannenstiel was given a standing ovation after receiving the Classroom Hero Award in the Inman High School auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 22. The admiration felt from the crowd was unmatched.
Mr. Pfannenstiel, born and raised in Ness City, Kan., has served at Inman High School for 48 years.
He came to Inman in 1978 after graduating from Saint Mary of the Plains College.
“I was hired by a superintendent here named Jack Harker, who came out and hired me in the middle of summer,” Pfannenstiel said.
Mr. Pfannenstiel then started teaching social studies, taking over for Jim Ewert, who he said gave him a lot of advice as a new teacher.
“I swore I probably wouldn’t stay in teaching very long,” Pfannenstiel laughed. “And here I am 48 years later.”
Mr. Pfannenstiel’s first coaching position with the school was as an assistant football coach. He then became the Head Girls Basketball coach (his favorite coaching position) for 16 – 18 years. He took numerous teams to state in the 90s and won a state championship in 1993.
Mr. Pfannenstiel also coached Boys and Girls Track & Field, Junior High Boys Basketball and Baseball as well. He and Mike Hicks started the school’s baseball program. He was able to coach both of his sons, whose teams both went to state.
Mr. Pfannenstiel and his wife Glenda raised their three children in Inman.
“When my kids got old enough that they traveled, I got out,” Pfannenstiel said.
he’s made endless friends in the community over the years.
“It’s a good community or I wouldn’t have stayed,” Pfannenstiel said.
When Mr. Pfannenstiel was asked what made him want to pursue teaching, he said he was inspired by his sister Joanne Emerick, who was in the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame.
“I’ve kind of fallen in her footsteps,” he said.
Mr. Pfannenstiel’s mother was also a teacher.
“My mother was a ‘Rosie the Riveter’, and my father was a World War II Veteran,” he said. “My dad wanted me to be in a profession where I helped people. My mom wanted the same.”
After his time in the classroom, Mr. Pfannenstiel felt called to be the school counselor and stepped in to take the role of the previous counselor who passed away. Mr. Pfannenstiel finished his degree at Emporia State University (1993) and has been in the counselor’s office for about 30 years.
“Every day is a challenge,” Pfannenstiel said. “Some days I know what I’m doing, some days I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Mr. Pfannenstiel enjoys helping people and encourages students and faculty to feel the same way.
“When you’re my age, you get up every day and just want to go help somebody,” Pfannenstiel said.
A community member who nominated Mr. Pfannenstiel for the Classroom Hero Award shared that Mr. Pfannenstiel has a way of working with kids, whether it’s helping them with their schedule, scholarship applications, financial aid or when they’re going through something and just need someone to talk to.
“Some of it is just who he is and his demeanor and then there is the part that comes with experience,” the nominator said. “His knowledge of the community and now helping kids whose parents he also worked with also allows him to really be in tune with what is going on and with what a student may need.”
The nominator added that being able to witness someone with over 45 years of experience still at the top of their game is incredible and having Mr. Pfannenstiel in the office area is also appreciated for whatever situation may arise.
Every principal who has worked with Mr. Pfannenstiel has leaned on his experience and feel for the building and community.
“I’ve seen quite a few people in education who as their career nears its end start to become less effective. You get the feeling they don’t want to do it anymore or that they are just going through the motions,” the nominator said. “Mr. Pfannenstiel is definitely not one of these people. He is still as effective and impactful as ever. Our district and community are blessed to have him.”
The Classroom Hero Award seeks to highlight the hard work and dedication of those on the front lines of our local schools. Nominations can be submitted at https://www.adastraradio.com/classroomhero/.
Ad Astra Radio has been locally owned and operated since 1986 and is proud to be your hometown radio station.
