Published: August 28, 2009 12:10 am         

Parke teacher honored by association

A Parke County educator and Tribune-Star columnist has been named Rural Teacher of the Year by the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association.

Michael Lunsford, a teacher at Riverton Parke Junior-Senior High School, was recognized for his achievements during the Old-Fashioned Pancake Breakfast at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 19.

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock were on hand to present Lunsford with a $1,000 check. The award is sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau.

“Mr. Lunsford has all of the characteristics we look for in a great teacher,” said Katrina Hall, IFB government finance and tax specialist and a board member for the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association. “He challenges students to do their best inside and outside the classroom and contributes to the school system and his community.”

Lunsford’s teaching career has spanned 30 years, all of them in the Southwest Parke Community School Corporation. He currently teaches English, Humanities, Film Literature and College Challenge United States History at Riverton Parke. He also serves as the school’s public relations director, publishes The Panther Pause, a monthly newsletter, and coaches and organizes the school’s Spell Bowl and two Academic Bowl teams.

Lunsford holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and American history from Indiana State University. He has received several awards throughout his career, including Indiana State History Teacher of the Year by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Indiana District 6 Teacher of the Year by Veterans of Foreign Wars, the WTHI-TV 10 Golden Apple Award, and the Donald Scheick Outstanding Teacher of American History Award.

He has been nominated by students for the Indiana Academic All-Star teaching award and has been named to the National Honor Roll of Outstanding Teachers.

In addition to teaching, Lunsford is a writer. His popular column runs in the Tribune-Star and he recently published a book, “The Off Season — The Newspaper Stories of Mike Lunsford.” He lives in southern rural Parke County. He is married to Joan Lunsford and has a daughter and a son.