Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Students Cheer For Favorite Teacher
Student Calls Bundsgaard ‘Cool’
FARMINGTON — The commons area at Farmington High School was packed with students Friday for a surprise announcement for journalism teacher Carol Bundsgaard.
Barnes & Noble bookstore in Fayetteville named Bundsgaard as its Favorite Teacher of the Year, based on a letter written by Farmington High senior Kassandra Dankers. Neither Bundsgaard nor Dankers knew what was about to happen.
Rachel McAdams, community business development manager, told the high school students about its program to honor teachers. A panel of store managers read through essays, letters and poems submitted by students to nominate teachers for the annual award. The official announcement will be made at the store April 14.
McAdams said the Rogers’ Barnes & Nobles selects its own Favorite Teacher of the Year and the Fayetteville store usually selects a teacher in Washington County.
After McAdams announced Bundsgaard as the 2016 Favorite Teacher, students broke out into applause and cheers.
Dankers’ letter thanked Bundsgaard for going above and beyond and encouraging her both personally and in class, McAdams said. The panel of managers was impressed with the quality of Dankers’ writing, her empathy and the sincerity of her letter, McAdams added.
After the announcement, Dankers described Bundsgaard as cool and lots of fun. Dankers has been in classes taught by Bundsgaard all four years in high school.
“She’s the funnest teacher and the sweetest,” Dankers said. “She brings food for us and she does a lot for us.”
Principal Jon Purifoy was determined to surprise Bundsgaard and lured her to the main office under the pretense she would be interviewed by the newspaper about her new broadcasting class.
Purifoy came in during the interview and told Bundsgaard she was needed in the commons area. All students had gathered in the commons area but Bundsgaard still did not know what was going on.
It was obvious from the shocked look on Bundsgaard’s face that Purifoy’s ruse had worked.
“I had no idea,” Bundsgaard said. “It’s incredible. With all the silliness I do, I guess you never realize what effect you are having on kids and how you are influencing them.”
It works both ways, she said. Her students impact her as well. Purifoy said Bundsgaard is the “happiest” teacher he has worked with.
“She sings in the hallways, she supports every athletic event and never has a bad day. She’s aways smiling, always happy and a joy to be around,” Purifoy said.
Bundsgaard has been teaching 25 years, 16 of those at Farmington High. She has taught English and journalism classes and two years ago, began teaching only journalism courses, which include newswriting and yearbook. This year, Bundsgaard started a new course, introduction to broadcasting.