By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
A Yukon teacher is making published authors out of his students.
Each year since the 2018-19 school year, Tim Adomyetz has taught his third-grade class to write stories and illustrate a one-of-a-kind book about Yukon.
“I have five different books,” said Adomyetz, who began teaching in 2016 at Skyview Elementary School.
“They’re excited when they come in and see their illustrations and their writing in an actual book. So, they have that sense of pride. It is exciting to have your work in a published book.”
Adomyetz – also known as “Mr. A” – usually selects a history theme for his third graders’ annual book, although one was about animals.
For school year 2022-23, the Skyview third graders and their teacher published a book titled, “Yukon: Where Route 66 Meets the Chisholm Trail.”
The book features stories, photos and drawings about all things Yukon – such as the Miller Man, Garth Brooks, Yukon Czech Hall, Freedom Fest, Christmas in the Park, Yukon Mills, Grady the Cow, Yukon Veterans Museum, the Chisholm Trail Festival, and plenty more.
A story near the back of the book is devoted to “The White House,” a two-story home built in 1894 by Yukon founder A.N. Spencer.
“I’m impressed that Tim has his students research the topics and works with them to complete this work as in their own handwriting as a class assignment,” said Jody Harlan, has lived with her husband Tim Wagner in The White House since 1984.
Harlan described Adomyetz as a “great teacher and modest.”
His third-grade class last year dedicated their book “Yukon: Where Route 66 Meets the Chisholm Trail” to the Mabel C. Fry Public Library. Two copies are available at the library, 1200 Lakeshore.
The book is available for order through an educational publisher, Studentreasures Publishing of Topeka, Kan.
Adomyetz has used the company to publish his previous classes’ books, such as “Poems of the Chisholm Trail” and “Oklahoma’s Route 66: East to West.”
“The kids illustrate, and they also write in their own words,” the Skyview teacher said. “I choose the topics.”
There’s room for up to 66 pages in each of these full-color books.
WHAT’S NEXT?
All of Adomyetz’s students participate in this class project.
The subject of his 2023-24 class book has not been determined. One suggestion is to feature places that used to be around in Yukon – but are no longer here.
The deadline for each year’s book is in March and it takes about 2-1/2 months for students to complete their research, writing and illustration.
These books make great gifts for friends and family members, or to include in a home library or child’s keepsake box.
Neither the teacher nor students make any profit – but have the satisfaction of seeing their work in print admired by readers.
An Alabama native, Adomyetz said history is “definitely” his favorite subject. He taught 13 years in Alabama before moving to Oklahoma, then taught 15 years in Choctaw.
Adomyetz recently started his 36th year in the teaching profession.
Paperback, hardcover and glossy copies of his Yukon students’ books may be ordered by visiting Studentreasures.com or calling (800) 867-2292.
