Patsy Koch Johns: The people who influenced her and how she paid it forward
Spend time with lifelong educator Patsy Koch Johns, and she will draw attention to those who paved her path: An eighth grade teacher who encouraged her to help teach children in the third grade; a college professor who guided her through her English, Speech and Theater degree; and presidential speech writer Ted Sorensen, who answered a phone call from this Lincoln High School speech teacher.
They are just a small example of people who contributed to the life and career of a woman who has touched the lives of thousands of young men and women throughout her career.
Back when Koch Johns attended Grand Island Central Catholic High School, Sister Ellen Patrick, a teacher, encouraged her to spend time helping other students in their school. That bit of encouragement sparked a young Patsy to devote her life to educating others. She herself was in need of some personal encouragement as well. Having never known her father, she lived with a single mother and sister, Peggy, who had developmental issues and was prone to epileptic seizures.
While growing up in Grand Island, Koch John's interest in being involved as a citizen was ignited.
"A friend and I volunteered at the Democratic headquarters in Grand Island at the time John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy were both involved, and we witnessed the work they were both doing before they were assassinated," she said.
During JFK's term, when Nebraska native Sorensen was his speech writer, Koch Johns grew to love and appreciate the work that Sorensen did.
Fred Koontz injected a strong dose of encouragement as a professor at Kearney State College (now University of Nebraska Kearney). "I was ready to drop out my sophomore year, but Fred Koontz talked me into staying," Koch Johns shared. "And not only did he talk me into getting my degree, teach me and mentor me, but when I was in graduate school in Arkansas, he drove there to help me get settled in an apartment."
After completing her master's degree, Koch Johns spent time in the mid '70s teaching at Paine College in Georgia. This private institution, founded in the Methodist tradition, was established to train Black teachers and preachers so that they might, in turn, address the educational and spiritual needs of people.
"As a white girl raised in Grand Island, I learned a great deal about racism during my time at Paine," she said.
In 1976, Koch Johns returned to Nebraska as a teacher at Cozad High School.
"Not only was I glad to be back in Nebraska, but I was thrilled that the leaders and families in Cozad felt that speech and theater were just as important as athletics," she said. During her time in Cozad, Koch Johns got to know many of the English and Theater teachers around the state.
On to Lincoln High School
From Cozad, in 2001 Koch Johns moved east to Lincoln, where she concluded her teaching career as a department chair at Lincoln High School.
"I loved Lincoln High, and every day I felt like I traveled the world, and I didn't have to get on a plane," she said. "There were so many students from other countries at Lincoln High, and it was a joy to get to know them."
During her nearly 12 years as a Link, Koch Johns directed plays with historical and social justice themes.
"I reversed what most theater teachers do when they select a play," she said. "I had my students do background research and present it to the cast. It helped them really understand the importance of our work."
During her time at Lincoln High, Koch Johns learned that Sorensen, speech writer for JFK and other dignitaries, had been a student there.
"One day I walked out of my class after they were discussing writing speeches, went to the main office and said, 'I want to talk with Ted Sorensen.'" She did connect with Sorensen, and when the students at Lincoln High were working on "Anastasia," a musical play based on the Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia, she invited him to come watch it. And he did. Her relationship with Sorensen prompted Koch Johns to push for the revamped theater at Lincoln High School to be named the Ted Sorensen Theatre.
Teacher awards
Also during her years as a Link, Koch Johns was named Nebraska Teacher of the Year in 2006. This award of excellence serves to recognize the contributions of classroom teachers. Modeled after the National Teacher of the Year, the Nebraska recognition was first awarded by the Nebraska Department of Education in 1972.
More recently, the University of Nebraska Kearney College of Education selected Koch Johns as Distinguished Educator of the Year. She'll be recognized at a ceremony on the UNK campus on Friday, Oct. 11.
Another person encouraged Koch Johns in a unique way. When she brought her sister Peggy to Lincoln from a care facility and became her guardian, she saw that even someone with limited verbal and physical capabilities could make a positive impact.
"In those months I cared for Peggy, I learned that even with her limitations she loved life. I watched her make people happy. I was blessed when she'd make cupcakes and give them away. Peggy helped me realize that every person can use what they have, and they can attain greatness."
Following her retirement as a teacher, Koch Johns had one more challenge: to serve on the State Board of Education.
"Partially to honor my sister, and recognize how important education is for all people, I helped the Nebraska Department of Education put together the Equity for All Learners: Inclusion at Every Level," she noted. "When I step down after eight years on the State Board, that's one thing I'll point to with great pride."
It was also during that time that Koch Johns served as a member of Rotary 14 and helped reorganize that club's recognition of high school students in Lincoln.
"I wanted students in our high schools to have the opportunity to speak before a large group of community leaders," she explained. "I helped coordinate the Rotary Scholars initiative and bring a student from each high school in Lancaster County to speak before our club. It serves two purposes: giving students a speaking challenge and keeping leaders in the community informed of some of our outstanding students."
Dr. Mike Wortman, principal of Lincoln High School during Koch John's tenure, summed up her career in this way: "She is a caring, optimistic and understanding person. I called her the velvet steamroller. When she wanted to get something done, she did but in a firm but very kind way."
Wortman went on to note that while Koch John has been guided by educators who provided her with encouragement and support, she has done the same for thousands of students and fellow educators. Even as she retires from the State Board of Education, one thing is certain – her enthusiastic encouragement to those around her will not wane.
Author note: Jan Bretz got to know Patsy Koch Johns when they were both speech and theater teachers – Jan at Lincoln Christian and Patsy at Cozad. Later they both coached speech students at Lincoln Southwest High School and traveled with those students to regional and even national competition events.
