Republic's Koyles named VFW Teacher of the Year

Chief Master Sergeant Kenneth Koyles, aerospace science instructor with Republic High School's AFJROTC, was presented with the VFW Teacher of the Year award on Thursday, Dec. 15. Koyles, who was nominated for the award by Lt. Col. Patrick Sanders, is a 33-year veteran of the United States Air Force, 20 years active duty and 13 years in the Reserves, and has taught at Republic High School for almost seven years. Koyles teaches "leadership courses and lessons that pertain to Air Force core values" to the cadets in the AFJROTC; he said he strives to do this through "lessons taught in the classroom and by example."
Koyles also said his role at RHS is "the best job I've ever had."
"The administration is ultra-supportive of our program," he said. "I get to go home every night, nobody is shooting at us, and we even have drinking water running out of the walls here (through faucets). One of my biggest fears is that someday I'll forget just how blessed I am to be a part of this community and live in the best country in the world."