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Panorama School District receives apprenticeship grant

Jan 16, 2025 | School News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Jan. 13 meeting of the Panorama School Board, Superintendent Kasey Huebner shared information about the Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship (TPRA) Grant. The TPRA grant allows current interested paraeducators to earn their bachelor’s degree in teaching. In this second round of funding, a total of 11 K-12 districts were chosen to receive grants to develop 68 new teacher apprentices and 26 new paraeducator apprentices.

“We are excited to offer a few of our paraeducators an opportunity to obtain a teaching license without the financial burden. This initiative allows us to invest in our staff and build our talent pipeline. Our goal has always been to hire exceptional individuals, and now we can invest in them with the hope that they will someday teach in our district and enhance the experiences of Panorama students,” Huebner said.

Panorama schools are being awarded a $114,000 grant to serve three participants.

“Panorama Community School District’s TPRA program will address the district’s critical need for special education teachers, improved education delivery, and support for students with disabilities,” Huebner said. “This program will offer financial and professional development support to three district paraeducators as they pursue Iowa teacher licensure in the K-12 teacher pathway. Grant funds will be used for tuition expenses, books and fees, and mentor stipends.”

The school board members heard the fiscal year 2024 financial audit review.

The board approved an application for Modified Supplemental funding for At-Risk/Dropout. This is an annual application to the School Board Review Committee to allow for an increase in spending authority.

The next regular meeting of the Panorama School Board is set for Monday, Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

Volunteers needed to take down holiday lights

Jan 16, 2025 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

The Panora Chamber of Commerce is asking for volunteers who can help take down the holiday lights on the town square on Friday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. If you can help, simply show up then. 

Yester Years

Jan 16, 2025 | Yester Years

10 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Jan. 22, 2015

 

TOURNAMENT CHAMPION. Panorama’s Marcus Boldy captured the 220-pound title at the Perry Wrestling Invitational. Boldy won by 6-2 decision over Cooper Lawson of Webster City in the finals.

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 20 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Jan. 19, 2005


BOOK SIGNING. Professor Max McElwain, author of “The Only Dance in Iowa,” which is a history of Iowa girls six-player basketball, signs a copy for Kim Heiland of Panora during a recent book signing at the Panora Library. Among the former players and fans attending were Sandy Jorgensen, Panora, right, visiting with Mona Sellman of Guthrie Center. McElwain teaches at Wayne State, Nebraska.

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 30 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Jan. 18, 1995

DRIVING TO THE BASKET. Guthrie Center’s Sunny Gonzales drives baseline as Adair-Casey’s Emily Metzger defends. In the background are Katie Lewis (43) and A-C’s Brooke Douglas.

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40 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Jan. 17, 1985

HONOR BAND MUSICIANS. These four instrumentalists will represent Panora-Linden in the Southwest Iowa senior and junior honor bands at Red Oak on Monday. From left, Matt Knapp, Jeff Jensen, Stephanie Bell and Darnell Shook.

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 50 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Jan. 15, 1975

25 WINNERS. Skip Cline, right, was one of 25 REC cooperative members receiving door prizes at the 35th annual meeting in Guthrie Center last week. Handing out the gift is REC employee Jim Terwilliger.

A thank you to Mrs. Kalar — and all the substitute teachers

Jan 16, 2025 | Publisher's Column

When Mrs. Marguerite Kalar would show up at school, we knew we were in for an entertaining and educational class period… if we listened carefully enough.

This wonderful woman was born in 1904 and spent many years teaching in the school system in my hometown of Algona. In her later years, she served as a substitute school teacher. Mrs. Kahler was long retired by the time my friends and I knew her, or at least it seemed that way. She was also understandably forgetful. My friend Dave wasn’t.

During one of our first classes with Mrs. Kalar as a sub, she mentioned how her favorite age is 16 because that’s when most kids are introduced to driving, and she went on for the remainder of the class talking about her experiences in great detail. So, to get her off track — and to avoid any prepared classroom instruction — my friend Dave would ask her, “Mrs. Kalar, what was your favorite age?” or “Mrs. Kalar, what kind of vehicle did you drive as a teenager?” or “Mrs. Kalar, at what age did you learn to drive?” The next 45 minutes were another rendition of the same history lesson about Mrs. Kalar’s youth driving experiences.

Our regular teachers caught on to this ploy, as only a few of the lesson plans were ever used. I remember this being frustrating for some of the teachers, and it probably also was for our principal, as finding last-minute substitute teachers was no easy task then, and it certainly isn’t today either.

Even so, an education isn’t all about what we read in books. If we miss a class or two about prepositional phrases, linear equations or photosynthesis, then so be it. Life experiences can be great lessons, too… if we listen carefully enough. This is a great reminder for teachers, principals, superintendents, school board members and legislators who continue to work toward solutions for the shortage of classroom instructors.

Mrs. Kalar died in 1992 and, like many other substitute teachers, impacted a tremendous number of youth in a positive way throughout her lifetime. Thank you, Mrs. Kalar, and that you to all the substitute teachers.

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

 

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707

Judy Kopaska

Jan 14, 2025 | Obituaries

1944-2025

 Judy Kopaska, 80, passed away peacefully on Jan. 10, 2025. She was born on May 9, 1944, in Adair to Clyde Hallie “Hal” Kinman and Genevieve Marie (Hayes) Kinman. Judy graduated from Adair-Casey High School in 1962 and married the love of her life, Larry Kopaska, later that year at the Methodist Church in Adair.

Judy and Larry built a beautiful life together in rural Guthrie Center where they raised their family and worked side by side. Judy’s days were filled with love and dedication as a homemaker, farmhand and community member. Her passions for gardening, quilting, baking and camping showcased her creative and nurturing spirit. She also had an adventurous side, evident in her love for motorcycle rides and her time as a “snowbird” in Arizona and Florida, where she embraced new friendships and experiences.

Judy was a woman of many talents and roles. She touched countless lives as a high school cook and as a dedicated 4-H leader for the U.S. Sunbeams. Her warmth and kindness made her a friend to all — she truly never met a stranger. Judy’s faith was a big part of her life, and she was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church. Above all, she cherished every moment spent with her family and friends, treasuring the laughter, love and memories they shared. 

Judy’s memory will be lovingly cherished by her three daughters, Mechiel (Kurt) Kalbach of Chattahoochee, Florida; Melinda (Monte) Jorgensen of Guthrie Center; and Melissa Kopaska of Rogers, Arkansas; her three grandchildren, Michaela (Tyler) Kinman, Madisyn (Ross) Wasson and McKlain Jorgensen; and her four great-grandchildren, Addy and Layton Kinman, and Kroy and Lyla Wasson, who were her greatest pride and joy. She is also survived by her sisters, Diana Jens and Janice (Veryl) Ticknor; her sister-in-law, Andrea (Steve) Brubaker; as well as nieces and nephews and their families.

Judy is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Larry; her parents, Clyde and Genevieve Kinman; her in-laws, Arnold and Lois Kopaska; her brother-in-law, Carl Jens; and her niece, Cathy Sadler. Though her absence leaves a void that can never be filled, we find comfort in knowing she is at peace and surrounded by those she loved.

A visitation to honor Judy’s life will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Guthrie Center. A funeral service celebrating her extraordinary life will take place at the same location on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Homestead Activities Fund to continue supporting the community she held dear.

Judy Kopaska was known for her kindness, generosity and joyful spirit. Her loving presence will remain in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will be carried forward by her family and friends. Judy, you will be profoundly missed, but your light will shine in our hearts forever.