Patty Brockman

Patricia Brockman devoted 39 years to teaching from 1974 – 2013: 10 at Topeka West and 29 at Washburn Rural High School. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1974 with a teaching license in English, Psychology, Speech, and Theater Arts.

Mrs. Brockman enjoyed being part of WRHS's growth from a school of approximately 800 students to one of just under 2,000. She appreciated the opportunity to teach a variety of courses: Freshman Honors, American Literature and Composition, Sophomore Honors, Mythology, World Literature and Composition, Advanced Placement Preparation, and Advanced Placement Composition and Literature. In addition to teaching, Brockman navigated the AP Course Audit so that students could receive the "AP" designation and worked with Washburn University so that AP students could earn college credit. She sat on multiple committees, including curriculum and content standards, reading intervention, NCA/OA Accreditation, KATE Executive Board, KBOR English Course Designation, District Writing Initiative, Hall of Fame, Mission and Vision, and International Baccalaureate. She also enjoyed attending KATE, NCTE, IB, and AP conferences.

Brockman was (and remains) a devoted Junior Blues fan. She was an assistant track coach for 8 years and kept the home and away scorebooks for the boys' basketball teams for approximately 27 years. She sponsored National Honor Society and Philosophy Club.

Mrs. Brockman received Washburn University's "Teachers Who Inspire" award, "Washburn Rural Teacher of the Quarter," and was recognized by the National Center for Fathering, the consequence of a student's winning essay. Most precious to Mrs. Brockman are the hundreds of student communications she has received. Three students wrote:

"I wanted you to know that as I look back on all the teachers I had over the years, you are the one that I think of the most. […] I was just elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, using your lessons in numerous speeches […] during the campaign. I've also worked as a speech writer, legislative researcher, aide to a university president, […] In each position, I was thankful I had a teacher like you who saw a diamond under all that rough."

"Within the walls of your classroom you allowed me and every other senior to think and discover for ourselves."

"I know that much of one's success in life depends on the ability to communicate effectively with others. I wanted to write to you to show my appreciation for the skills and inspiration you've given me."

Mrs. Brockman loved her students – starting the first day of class, she became their "school mom." She wanted all of them to be successful, which meant she was always available to them. She curbed growling tummies with Jolly Ranchers and rewarded students' hard work and the basketball teams' victories with trays of brownies.

Since retiring, Brockman has made welcome back brownies for the faculty and has volunteered at the WRHS library. She has tutored high school and university students, been a guest speaker to WRHS Alternative Education students, and talked with Kansas State Architectural Engineering classes about precise writing. Currently, Mrs. Brockman enjoys Osher Institute courses, exercising, gardening, yoga, and mahjong. She loves hanging out with friends and family. She celebrates life with her terrific husband of 44 years (also a dedicated teacher) as they cook up projects and travel in and out of the United States.