TSA teacher receives contract extension
May 15—A group of local high school students got their wish after they spoke out this week in favor of a contract extension for a robotics teacher.
Item "V.A." on the Monday night, May 13, Claremore Public Schools Board of Education agenda concerned David Isenbart. The board voted unanimously to approve the extension through July 2 after hearing from Adele Wilson, a student spokesperson for the group, which calls itself "Claremore Students for Isenbart."
Wilson, a graduating senior, top CHS valedictorian and a member of one of the two nationally qualified robotics teams, spoke before the board. She made the case for extending the mentor/teacher's contract to allow him to accompany students to the NTSA Conference and national robotics team competition in Orlando, June 26-30.
The board's approval cleared the way for Isenbart to accompany the two CHS robotics teams for what will be his final time in an official CPS faculty position.
"[It is] Mr. Isenbart's last year at Claremore Public Schools, and many of us are devastated that he is leaving, but we understand that these things happen," Wilson told the board.
The 31-year CPS teacher has announced he will not be returning to the classroom next year.
Wilson explained that a small group of students decided to take action after learning a school policy would prevent Isenbart from accompanying them, since his final day of employment is prior to the competition.
"Some of us have been with Mr. Isenbart for seven years, and we are graduating in a few weeks," she said. "Mr. Isenbart is after school almost every day and sometimes into the evening, providing guidance and allowing time for us to practice and allowing the robotics students more time to prepare their Vex robotics equipment. Mr. Isenbart most recently returned from the VEX Worlds tournament in Dallas, where he had two teams qualify and compete against teams from many different countries. He also commits many long nights away from his family, sponsoring us at leadership conferences."
Wilson said the students organized to address the school policy problem, did their research and formulated a solution that involved requesting the contract extension item be placed on the board's agenda. The students also petitioned individual board members and solicited community support.
"I want to begin by saying how much Mr. Isenbart has influenced our lives and the lives of many students over the years. and we know he's going to continue to mentor younger students to become future leaders," Wilson told the board. "... We have been to countless conferences with him on the local, state, regional and national levels. He has dedicated countless hours over the school year and over the summer ... to prepare us for competition."
Wilson said Isenbart has been more than just a teacher; he has been a mentor, a role model and "someone we trust."
"Mr. Isenbart needs to be honored for his dedication for the years he has given to students and faculty of Claremore Public Schools," she said. "This is only a small token of appreciation."
In making the petition, she said, the students asked the board for approval so he can be the sponsor on the trip, to navigate the complex logistics of the conference such as competition practice, meal plans, networking and more.
"He has years of experience and brings so much comfort to all of us. He is the reason we are successful. He is the reason TSA has grown into a model TSA program for the state," Wilson said. "Most importantly, we hope to show our appreciation to Mr. Isenbart for his years of pouring into us and the many students that came before. We want to give Mr. David Isenbart the send-off that he deserves and share a final trip with the one that has given so much to us."
