Neva C. Kanost began teaching at Arapahoe Public Schools in 1948. She grew up in Wauneta, Nebraska, and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1942. With the war raging she did not start McCook Community College until 1946 and completed two years of college, enough to be hired at Arapahoe. Neva became a principal and administrator in 1963 at a time when women were often overlooked for advancement. She attended Nebraska State Teachers College where she received her bachelor’s degree in 1962 and completed her master’s degree at the same institution, renamed Kearney State College, where she graduated in 1971.
Neva was a true educator who believed in the potential of others and reveled in seeing kids succeed. She served as administrator, teacher, strict disciplinarian, mentor, volunteer and friend. She was known for bringing treats to board meetings, taking tickets at games, volunteering after her retirement in 1990 in the kindergarten class and being active in her community and church. She could play bridge and a mean game of Trivial Pursuit given her teaching background. She even served as Grand Marshall at the local Fourth of July Parade celebration.
There are generations of stories of those she taught, which included children, parents and grandparents. There are stories of broken BIC pens, which of course were never used for spit wads and many students who got to visit the principal’s office. One student recalled Neva ruled the hallways with an iron fist and newspaper, with her daily patrol passing in the hallways with the Omaha World-Herald rolled up in her hand. Though the use of the newspaper was never confirmed, she was legendary. Students knew if they misbehaved at school there would be consequences when the news reached home.
Neva believed in the potential of many, even when they did not believe in their own potential. She was direct and willing to share her opinion, yet supported you whether she agreed or not. One new staff person recalled Neva in the lunch room, and watching the kids running up to her, with hugs and thought about how Neva must feel to get 100 hugs a day! She loved being an educator and the joy of being a volunteer.
Corey Fisher, a past student and school administrator said it best: “If there is one thing I learned from Miss Kanost, it is that all people, young and old, will have at least two choices in everything they do. Sometimes it is difficult to see the outcome and sometime the challenge is great, but the kind of person you are will allow you to grow even in times when you are least successful. I believe that is what drove Miss Kanost. Was she intimidating? Yes. Strict? Yes. One of my favorites? No. One the best? Without question…Yes!”
Neva was a true educator who believed in the potential of others and reveled in seeing kids succeed. She served as administrator, teacher, strict disciplinarian, mentor, volunteer and friend. She was known for bringing treats to board meetings, taking tickets at games, volunteering after her retirement in 1990 in the kindergarten class and being active in her community and church. She could play bridge and a mean game of Trivial Pursuit given her teaching background. She even served as Grand Marshall at the local Fourth of July Parade celebration.
There are generations of stories of those she taught, which included children, parents and grandparents. There are stories of broken BIC pens, which of course were never used for spit wads and many students who got to visit the principal’s office. One student recalled Neva ruled the hallways with an iron fist and newspaper, with her daily patrol passing in the hallways with the Omaha World-Herald rolled up in her hand. Though the use of the newspaper was never confirmed, she was legendary. Students knew if they misbehaved at school there would be consequences when the news reached home.
Neva believed in the potential of many, even when they did not believe in their own potential. She was direct and willing to share her opinion, yet supported you whether she agreed or not. One new staff person recalled Neva in the lunch room, and watching the kids running up to her, with hugs and thought about how Neva must feel to get 100 hugs a day! She loved being an educator and the joy of being a volunteer.
Corey Fisher, a past student and school administrator said it best: “If there is one thing I learned from Miss Kanost, it is that all people, young and old, will have at least two choices in everything they do. Sometimes it is difficult to see the outcome and sometime the challenge is great, but the kind of person you are will allow you to grow even in times when you are least successful. I believe that is what drove Miss Kanost. Was she intimidating? Yes. Strict? Yes. One of my favorites? No. One the best? Without question…Yes!”