Topic: Teacher due process
Interview of Andy Tompkins, January 13, 2025
Interviewed by Mark Tallman
Andy Tompkins has had a leading role in education in Kansas that started in 1970 when he was hired to teach English in Hugoton. That job quickly became Principal and then Superintendent of three different districts until he was tapped in 1996 as Commissioner of Education. Tompkins recounted in this oral history interview the changes that took place in public education in Kansas during his career. Tompkins' interview toucheed on special education, "A Nation at Risk", the movement to improve education, standards and the 1992 School Finance Reform Act. He was able to explain why things Show Morechanged and with what result. Tompkins portrays skilled leadership and a trusted leader committed to improving education for all. Show Less
Interview of Jack Wempe, January 23, 2025
Interviewed by Mark Tallman
This oral history interview of Jack Wempe focuses on his experiences first as a student in a one-room school, next as a teacher, principal and superintendent in rural Kansas, then his legislative activities involving education issues, and finally, his service on the Kansas Board of Regents. Wempe's experience covers the scope of education in Kansas over several decades of critical change. His interview covers school unification, changes in funding public schools, qualified admissions, and reorganization of higher education with the Board of Regents assuming coordination of the nineteen community colleges. Difficult Changes
Highlight -- short excerpt from the interview
Another interview of Wempe is included in the Statehouse Conversations collection on this site. Show Less