Former student honors Puckett

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
By Timberly Ferree, Staff Writer

Mike Puckett

A Linton-Stockton teacher has been honored for excellence in teaching due to the efforts of a former student.

Mike Puckett, L-S band teacher, is a recipient of the 2009 Butler University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Teacher Excellence Award -- which honors teachers who have made a difference in the lives of their students.

Puckett was nominated by former LSHS student Cody Jackson -- who is now a freshman studying liberal art and science at the university.

Jackson's nomination praises Puckett for being a driving force in the betterment of his students' practices.

In part the nomination reads, "Throughout my years in the band, Mr. Puckett consistently drove me and the other students to push ourselves to be the best we could be. He did not just teach us music, but he also taught us lessons that would benefit us throughout our lives."

Jackson's nomination also praises Puckett for teaching lessons that go beyond the classroom.

"He would consider more than just notes and rhythms in our grades and take into account responsibility and attitude towards the work we did. In this way he taught me the benefits of hard-work and responsibility and also what I was capable of as a person. For this reason I feel Mr. Mike Puckett deserves the Teacher Excellence Award."

All incoming Butler University liberal art and science freshmen were given the opportunity to nominate a teacher for the award.

Puckett is one of 37 secondary-school teachers from seven states to receive the university's annual award.

The awards are given to teachers who have made a difference in the lives of their students.

"I'm quite honored and touched. It is very, very nice when you have a former student who is an alumni who thinks enough of your teaching that they nominate you for something like this," Puckett said. "It's a wonderful compliment."

Comments

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Mr. Puckett is definitely worthy of any award bestowed upon him. He is a great teacher and it shows every time the Linton band performs. It is also evident through the number of students who participate in band. I'm not sure what the ratio is now, but when I was in school, almost 25% of the high school was in band, which equaled over 100 students. Mr. Puckett has built something at Linton that is very pride-worthy and as well known and respected as Linton football - and it shows! Congratulations, Mr. Puckett!

-- Posted by HoosierWhoser on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 7:10 PM

Congratulations, Mr. Puckett!! I know that you have instilled a love of music in my son. We need more teachers like you!

-- Posted by parent of lss kids on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 7:38 PM

An incredible honor for an incredible teacher.

-- Posted by Mr. F on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 8:37 PM

congratulations!!! you are very deserving of this...you are a wonderful teacher and you teach much more than just music...you teach responsibility respect and discipline as well... i was one of your band students and i can honestly say i walked away with more than just the love and knowledge of music!!!!

-- Posted by sissy on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 10:50 PM

Congrats Mr. Puckett. A well deserved award indeed! Most of these kids spend half of their lives in band with him and the life lessons he sends them home with are priceless. He taught me so much about how hard work pays off and to never give up on what you want. I hope many more students will get to learn from Mr. Puckett.

-- Posted by ejf_2005 on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 11:28 PM

Congratulations Mr Puckett,You deserve this award,I hope you get it.I know my son sure loved having you as a teacher as well.

-- Posted by Dee50 on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 6:32 AM

Cody said it perfectly!! I echo EVERYTHING said. Thank you Mr. Puckett for helping me become what I am today!! I wish there were more like you!!

-- Posted by alwaysinterested on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 9:14 AM

Mr. Puckett is a great teacher and very deserving of this award! Congrats!!

-- Posted by thebooker5 on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 10:09 AM

congrats!! always nice to be remembered by a former student.

-- Posted by tsmith on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 11:27 AM

Congratulations Mr. Puckett!! I know both my children enjoy having you as a teacher. The hard work, time and effort you put into your band students shows with every parade and program they perform!! Again, congratulations!!

-- Posted by Maxine66 on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 2:26 PM

I had Mr. Puckett as a teacher and I think he is BY FAR the best teacher I ever had. He taught you about life, not just about school. As have all of these people noted, he is very deserving to be recognized for what he has done for hundreds of students. I hope you read these comments and realize you have made an incredible impact on my life as in others. Congratulations for caring and not being one of them "its a job" teachers.

-- Posted by LXBowhunter on Wed, Nov 4, 2009, at 6:26 PM

Congrats Mr. Puckett! What a wonderful honor and well deserved. As one of your early students, I have the greatest memories. You had incredibly high expectations, but encouraged us so that we could meet them. We knew you cared about us. I not only learned to play, write, listen and perform music, I learned to love it and the whole band family experience. Thanks for all you did for me and the students at LHS. Kudos!!!

-- Posted by mrslaurie84 on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, at 4:35 PM