By Brenna Eller
BUHLER, Kan. — Ad Astra Radio is proud to announce Brenda Stegman, Ad Astra Academies Math Teacher as the most recent 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, The Foto Cowboy and new community partner Pizza Ranch.
Although she has only been at Ad Astra Academies for one year, Stegman has been teaching for a total of 37 years and has been working for the Buhler school district for several years.
Buhler schools she has taught at include Prairie Hills Middle School and Buhler High School, which she taught at last year. Miss Stegman currently teaches math to 6th, 7th and 8th graders at Ad Astra Academies.
Her career began out West at Dodge City Junior High School.
“It was a junior high, not middle school then,” Stegman said.
Stegman decided to become a teacher because she loves kids.
“It’s my passion,” she added.
Some teachers may encounter discipline problems with their students, but according to Stegman, that isn’t something she worries about.
“Because of making that connection from day one,” Stegman said.
She explained that once you have the student’s respect and you respect them, you won’t have a problem.
“It’s been a great career,” Stegman said. “Lots of changes through the years but it has been a big career and making those connections with the kids that definitely need it, at Ad Astra it happens a lot.”
The best thing about the age range that Stegman teaches (6th-8th graders) is that she is able to relate to what they are going through as they are in their adolescence.
“I can easily relate to those kiddos and give them the support they need,” Stegman added.
She is able to help the students get through whatever challenges they are going through, especially at a time where they are going through so many changes in their life.
In a nomination submitted to Ad Astra Radio for Stegman, she was described as having the “kindest, warmest heart you’ll ever meet.”
“She is a math expert and goes above and beyond for her students,” the nominator said. “She blesses every kid who comes in contact with her.”
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/classroom-hero.
Ad Astra Radio has been locally owned and operated since 1986 and is proud to be your hometown radio station.
