Katie Hensley Biven, left and Anthony Hensley are both proud graduates of Highland Park High School.
Anthony Hensley and his daughter Katie Hensley Bivens have
worked for Topeka Public Schools for a combined 50 years and are both Highland
Park High School graduates. Hensley is currently teaching government at
Highland Park High School, while Bivens is the assistant principal at Ross
Elementary.
Anthony Hensley, graduated from Highland Park High School (HPHS)
in 1971, started teaching at HPHS 40 years ago, worked at Capital City Schools for
28 years, and came back to HPHS during the 2010 school year. Hensley is also
the longest serving member of the Kansas Legislature, with the 2018 session
being his 42nd session.
Bivens, graduated from HPHS in 2002, and started teaching at
Whitson Elementary 10 years ago and is currently is the assistant principal at
Ross.
Hensley was inspired to go into teaching because of
influential eighth grade teacher Sherman Oyler, “He was a real role model and inspired me to become a social
studies teacher. It was a natural fit for me since I've always had an interest
in American history and politics. And, I've always believed it's
important to give back to the people in our community who have supported me
throughout my career in education and politics.”
Bivens was similarly
inspired. “I always knew that I wanted to be a public servant due to my
upbringing. I have a great passion for giving back to my community, as
learned from my parents and grandmothers. Teaching seemed like the perfect
fit since I could help my community directly by impacting its future and
educating our citizens. As an administrator, I believe that I make an even
greater impact by helping teachers grow in their crafts and transforming a
school that allows for students to grow in all areas of life. I believe I
am a change agent and education is my tool for making a difference in my
community. “
“I followed in my dad's
footsteps in the sense that I have a servant's heart. He has a great
passion for the east side of Topeka, as do I, and we both share the belief that
we can help others be successful. I learned the meaning of "hard
work" from my dad and my drive to always do better is from him,” Bivens
said.
Hensley continues, “I am
very proud that Katie decided to become a teacher. From that standpoint,
she followed in my footsteps. But now that she is an Assistant Principal,
she's following the example of her aunt Daryle (my sister) who became an
administrator and retired as a high school principal.”
The Highland Park community
is near and dear to both of their hearts, with both of them working in east
Topeka schools, “I was born and raised in Highland Park and live in the house I
grew up in. Upon graduating from Washburn, I couldn't find a teaching job
in Topeka, so I moved to El Dorado where I taught 9th grade American
Civics. I returned home that summer (1976) and successfully ran for the Kansas
House of Representatives. The following year, I was able to get a teaching
job at Highland Park and have worked in Topeka Public Schools ever since. I've
been very fortunate that the 501 school board has granted a leave of absence
for second semester to serve in the Legislature,” said Hensley.
Bivens wants the best for
her schools. “Topeka Public Schools needs the best people. We need people
who are passionate about the city of Topeka and its youth. Specifically,
Topeka Public Schools needs people that can relate to our students; people who
can walk the walk and talk the talk, people who know what it’s like growing up
in Topeka and are willing to give back, and people that want to make change in
the life of a child. Our students need and deserve the very best.”
Do both have advice they
would like to give to students? According to Bivens, “Work hard, be kind, don't
give up, and always remember where you came from.”
And from Hensley, “The same
advice my friend Dale Cushinberry always passed on to students when he was
principal at Highland Park, ‘You can get there from here."
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