BERNIE SCHOOLS INDUCT TWO TEACHERS IN HALL OF FAME

BERNIE -- Two longtime Bernie educators were inducted into the Bernie R-13 School District Hall of Fame at the 14th annual Academic Honors BanquetFriday night.

Wendell Turner spent his 30-year career at Bernie. According to many, he is the "Will Rogers" of educators. His low-key profile, continual home-spun humor and encouragement helped mark the success of hundreds of students as he engendered initiative and self-confidence with his caring and endless smile.

School records indicate his first contract was for the amount of $4,600 to teach the fifth grade. His second year he became the elementary physical education teacher and Junior High coach and the second summer he became responsible -- for no extra pay -- for the summer Little League program. He worked with Little League for five years.

After five years in the elementary P.E. position, he moved to the junior high teaching eighth- and ninth-grade history and continued to coach junior high basketball. In total, he coached junior high basketball for 18 years.

He spent 30 years teaching in the Bernie School District, quoting such adages as "the buffalo being the walking Wal-Mart of the early Americans," and "You can't make the chicken salad without the chicken" has inspired many students as they continue through the years.

Turner still is farming and substitute teaching from time to time.

Turner held back tears as he accepted his certificate before a standing crowd. Ed Crow, Board of education president, asked all those in the audience who had Turner as a teacher to stand. More than half stood.

Also inducted was the late Marion (Rusty) Johnson who taught from 1950 to 1957. She taught sixth grade in her first year at Bernie and more than 6 years in the commercial department of the high school. The years spanned from 1950 to 1957.

During Johnson's time as a high school teacher, she initiated the Senior Carnival and sponsored it for the following five consecutive years. She also sponsored various other activities, including the Student Council. Her students won numerous awards and recognition at district and state competition year after year. She was active in the community through her work with the church, The Women's Federated Club and the Bernie Jaycettes.

Johnson's nomination was endorsed by several former students who remember her visiting with them about the possibilities of college and the reality of being skilled for immediate entry into the work force.

Johnson's daughter, Michelle Johnson-Lindley, was on hand to receive the certificate for the induction given to her at the banquet. "It is wonderful to me that so many people loved mom," said Johnson-Lindley. "At her funeral, there was even a bouquet of flowers from The Class of 1957. She would have appreciated this."