2007: Ron Lang, Lawrence High, Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year

A kindergarten teacher and a high school English teacher have been named this year’s top public school teachers in Lawrence.

Lynn Heffley, a kindergarten teacher at Pinckney School, and Ron Lang, a longtime Lawrence High School English teacher, were honored Friday in separate surprise presentations.

Lang, who started teaching in 1969 and has taught at LHS for the last 34 years, was named the local secondary teacher of the year.

There was no school for high school students Friday because it was a recording and reporting day. But Weseman made the presentation as teachers gathered Friday morning in the cafeteria at LHS, 1901 La.

“It’s been a heck of a ride. I can’t believe where the time has gone,” Lang said later.

Lang has taught physical education, language arts and English and has coached basketball at LHS.

Before coming to Lawrence, he taught two years in Roswell, N.M. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from KU.

“What’s kept me in teaching has gone beyond a paycheck,” he said.

Lang said he enjoys knowing he is teaching the next generation of adults. He’s seen many of his former students grow up to be gainfully employed taxpayers and voters — and he’s even taught their children.