Bowar chosen Teacher of Year

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The counselor known to value the self-esteem and self-worth of New Ulm Middle School students was named 2001 Teacher of the Year at the Sixth Annual New Ulm Public Schools Employee Recognition Banquet Wednesday.

"If you like yourself, your life will be okay," said Bowar, who is in his 30th year in District 88.

Bowar was chosen over three other finalists -- Washington counselor Joan Wisniewski, Jefferson second-grade teacher Cleo Matzke, and senior high science teacher Darlene Filzen.

Bowar's genuine interest and caring heart for the needs of young adolescents were noted in the testimony of Middle School Principal Steve Weber.

"He can lend an ear or, when needed, can give some stern advice," Weber said. "Well-known for his jokes, and his great joke-telling abilities, he can draw either a hearty laugh or just a long, deep groan."

Bowar was particularly known for his love of baseball. He dressed up as Casey (Stengel) at bat on Halloween and impersonated Mark McGuire when he set the major league single-season home run record three years ago.

Bowar created the monthly OK Kid Award in 1982 that honored has 864 students positively, publicly, and formally for their character. He also helped organize the STABLE award and spent a lot of time working with the Yellow Ribbon Program for suicide prevention.

Bowar thanked his wife Pat for her support and strength.

He recited his favorite quote: "People may forget what you've said and what you did, but they will never forget the way you made them feel."

Bowar taught middle school social studies and English in 1965 in Jamestown, N.D. Two years later, he moved to St. Paul and taught the same subjects at St. Leo's Catholic School.

Thirty years ago, he was hired by New Ulm Public Schools as a counselor and English teacher. He became a full-time counselor in 1973.

He was the middle school student council advisor for 15 years, coached freshman baseball for 12 years and seventh-grade basketball for four years.

Other awards were given to Candy and Dave Leuthe (Outstanding Lay Educators), Jerome Fischer (Bus Driver of the Year), the Music Boosters (Community Support Award), and Sue Date (Support Person of the Year).

Service awards went to retirees Carol Ackerson, Marie Guldan, Judy Mosca, Delbert Dallmann, Phyllis Kosbab, and Edward Weber.

Ackerson taught English and Speech for 41 years, directed 60 plays, supervised the speech team, and organized prom.

Guldan taught fourth grade at Washington Elementary for the past 24 years and has been a teacher for 35 years.

Kosbab is retiring after 20 years as a special education paraprofessional at Jefferson Elementary.

Mosca has 32 year in education, teaching third grade and is a counselor at Jefferson.

Dallmann is retiring after 43 years of teaching, 34 years as a high school business teacher.

Weber is retiring after 33 years of service in the district. He teaches economics, American Government, and an advanced placement class in the high school.