Excellent Educator: Burnsville H.S.'s Kathleen Bunkers

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – This morning, the WCCO Morning Show is honoring another excellent educator in the metro who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in student's lives.

Many teachers are special, but special education teachers are in a league of their own.

One of Kathleen Bunker's 27 students at Burnsville High School needed a wheelchair. She not only found one on her off time, but talked her way into getting it for free. That's why that child's parent nominated her as this week's Excellent Educator.

"I just knew since eighth grade I would be a special education teacher," she said. "I'm on year 19 and still kind of going strong."

Not only did she realize she wanted to work as a special education teacher early on, by high school, she had gone to the school board to ask permission to start working with students during her senior year.

"I think that teaching is something that you're called to do and I think you get daily regular internal celebrations," she said.

"Every kid she gives her all to. We love having her down here. I know the parents love her. The students appreciate her," said Burnsville High principal Dave Helke.

You can nominate a deserving educator by going to the WCCO Morning Show's Facebook page, telling us their name and why they should be WCCO's Excellent Educator of the week.