By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
After 42 years as a teacher in Hays Catholic schools, Christine Dinkel was honored Feb. 6 as a distinguished teacher for the Salina Diocese by the Kansas Association of Independent and Religious Schools.
Dinkel, who is teaching fifth- and sixth-grade language arts at Holy Family Elementary, will retire at the end of this school year.
However, she has left a legacy of compassion and a love of learning.
Dinkel, 65, a Fort Hays State University graduate, started her career teaching second grade at St. Joseph Catholic School. She said the job chose her.
Dinkel received an invitation from Sister Mary Alice Walters in August to interview the next day. The sister asked her a few brief questions, and she handed Dinkel a contract.
The sister explained she needed to hire someone before she was due to leave that afternoon to return to the motherhouse in Wisconsin. Dinkel accepted the job and has been teaching in Hays Catholic schools since.
Dinkel said she loves teaching elementary students because every day is a new day for them.
"They forget what happened the day before, and they are ready to start all over. That is the way I am also — ready to start a new day. When something goes wrong or they forget a paper, that's what tomorrow is made for."
Dinkel said her favorite aspects of teaching are seeing the children grow in their personalities and learning.
She said she tries to listen to her students.
"They have a lot to say," she said. "If you stop and listen, that's very beneficial. They need to know they are being listened to."
Dinkel's students just finished reading "The Indian in the Cupboard." She said they loved the story. They said, "Mrs. Dinkel, that was such a good book!"
I said, "All books are such a good book if you just read them!"
The students are reading "Mr. Popper's Penguins," which is an older book, but Dinkel said the students are enjoying that book too. Based on the penguin theme, she is planning a black-and-white day with snacks on Friday.
"I try to show my love for education and reading books and learning also," she said. "If I learn a new word in the day, I'll say 'Oh, I learned a new word today.'
"Education is meant to be a good thing. It's not meant to be hard. It can be hard, but if you keep at it, it will become easier."
Dinkel was asked to give a speech at the ceremony for her award. She gave three examples of times when she felt good about being a teacher. The first instance was when a student left her a note that said "You make me feel smart and special."
"I think so many times in society today, people are put down and they aren't made to feel smart," she said.
A student gifted her a simple cloth lunch bag 30 years ago. She hasn't been able to get rid of it — it's been too special to her.
She also has a practice at the beginning of the school year. She asks her students to write down three things they think she should know about them that would help her be a better teacher to them.
One girl simply wrote 80HD. She meant ADHD, but Dinkel said she understood completely and was happy the girl had been able to communicate that to her.
Dinkel said she was very humbled by her award. She said she has never thought of herself as an excellent teacher. She thinks of herself as an effective teacher who can always improve.
Dinkel has seen generations pass through her classrooms. She has taught the children of students she taught in elementary school. She taught her current principal, Rachel Wentling. Wentling taught her children at Thomas More Prep-Marian, and then Dinkel taught Wentling's children at Holy Family.
Wentling nominated Dinkel for the distinguished teacher award.
“In 2012, when I became principal of Holy Family Elementary, it was humbling to return to a school where I was taught and serve as a leader for some of the teachers who taught me," Wentling said in a press release announcing the award.
"Mrs. Dinkel quickly entered into my support team. I’m forever grateful for our time together and the honest conversations that helped Holy Family continue to evolve into the school it is today.
"Although I was the principal, Chris continued to challenge me to grow in my leadership and always supported me. Her flexibility, willingness and excellence are a dream combination and are the reason she is very deserving of the Distinguished Teacher Award in the KAIRS Hall of Fame."
Dinkel has taught the grandchildren of friends and family. Her own grandchildren are students at Holy Family Elementary, and Dinkel said she will miss seeing them in school. She said she tries to catch her grandchildren who are in kindergarten in third grade in the lunch room or the hallway to wish them a good day at school every day.
Dinkel is not leaving teaching behind entirely. She will be substitute teaching at Holy Family and helping in the cafeteria.
"It's been my dream job to stand in the cafeteria and say, green beans, green beans, green beans 285 times," she said with a laugh.
She does have some fun planned in her retirement.
After school releases for the summer, Dinkel, her 92-year-old mother, her sister, her daughters and three nieces are all going on a trip to Key West, Fla.