November 19, 2009
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Three outstanding educators have been selected for the third class of the Gov. Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.
The three chosen by a statewide selection committee are Linda D. Childress of Cub Run, Walter Dick of Cumberland and Frances Steenbergen of Glasgow.
They will be inducted during a ceremony Jan. 26 at the State Capitol in Frankfort.
“The three individuals selected for induction in the class of 2010 exemplify the quality of accomplishments and professional commitment by educators that has placed Kentucky in a position of leadership in education reform,” said Dr. Sam Evans, dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Western Kentucky University.
The Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame was created in 2000 through a gift by former Gov. Nunn, who hoped to recognize the vital role that primary and secondary teachers in Kentucky play in the education of young people and the positive impact education has on the state’s economy. WKU was selected as the home of the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame because of its 100-year history in teacher education.
Linda D. Childress
Childress, a native of Hart County, retired after 36 years as a music and arts and humanities teacher and
director of school chorus groups.
Childress has provided numerous opportunities for students from rural areas in Kentucky to experience, participate and develop their individual talents in the arts. Her commitment and passion for the arts was the driving force behind Cub Run Elementary School’s Arts and Humanities scores on the CATS test consistently ranking among the state’s top five including the top score in 2007.
She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and music from Western Kentucky University in 1972, master’s in elementary education from WKU in 1974 and Rank I in elementary education from WKU in 1979.
From 1972-2008, Childress taught at Munfordville Elementary, Bonnieville Elementary, Cub Run Elementary and Hart County High.
Walter Dick
A native of Cumberland, Dick is characterized as a legend by colleagues and former students. 
He taught algebra and mathematics for 52 years in the Harlan County school system and displayed a passion for his subject matter and work. His devotion to student success has been evident in before and after school tutoring sessions and his expectation that all of his students can be successful.
Dick was a successful coach early in his career and maintained a connection to Cumberland High School’s basketball program by keeping the scorebook in recent years.
Dick received his bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in math and business from Union College in 1956 and his master’s from Union in 1979.
Dick taught for six years at Benham High School before moving to Cumberland High School in 1961.
Frances Kidd Steenbergen
A Glasgow native, Steenbergen spent 29 years as a teacher and served five years as president of the Kentucky
Education Association.
She has been tireless in her efforts to provide a quality education for the students with whom she has worked, and her leadership within the profession has impacted students beyond Kentucky.
She taught science, spelling, health and home economics (now family and consumer sciences), coached cheerleaders and speech teams, and was adviser for the yearbook and Family Career and Community Leaders of America.
Steenbergen received her bachelor’s degree in home economics from Western Kentucky University in 1973, her master’s in home economics from WKU in 1977 and her Rank I in education from WKU in 1984.
She taught at Austin Tracy Middle/High School from 1973-87 and at Barren County High School from 1987-2002.
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For information, contact Dr. Sam Evans at (270) 745-4662.
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