BOERNE, Texas — This year, our partner Credit Human has doubled its donation to $2,000 as KENS 5 continues to honor teachers and feature their great work on-air and online.
Our team, including Anchor Sarah Forgany, visits 19 school districts to surprise teachers at school and recognize them with the special award reserved only for the best educators in the San Antonio and surrounding area.
The first stop for the 2024-2025 school year was in the Hill Country at Boerne ISD’s Champion High School. The superintendent, along with juniors and seniors, joined the celebration as Mr. Robert Kolar was handed the award.
After two decades in the U.S. Army and a career in law enforcement, that included both UTSA and Fair Oaks Ranch police, there was a resounding theme Robert Kolar heard from those who knew him. "It seems like you should be more of a youth minister than a police officer," Kolar said.
As it turns out, preaching was not his calling but teaching clearly is.
"I'm so lucky to have him as a mentor,” one senior said.
From serving his country to serving children for the last 12 years, Kolar's classes at Champion High School have become a student favorite whether it’s English, AP Research or Student Leadership. One student even told us Kolar is her biggest motivation to come to class. “Mr. Kolar is one of the most optimistic people I’ve ever met. What I really like about him is the motto that he has throughout his classroom, which is live a great story."
She’s referring to a flag that Kolar uses as a prop in the back of the classroom.
On it, you’ll see printed words that read, “Live a great story” and next to those words, there are dozens of hand-written personal stories, each one is signed by a student. It’s a symbol of their accomplishments.
As he proudly held the flag, Kolar described what he called special experiences that his students, over the years, wanted to share. He said it’s significant because it’s a way to celebrate their accomplishments, in and outside of education.
"I've had some students that have made state tournaments write on here. I have some who got scholarships and students who went on an open water fishing excursion because they've never been to one."
The flag seems to have left its mark on students too. They view it as Kolar’s way of showing them he cares, “He’s really invested in all the students and he cares about you as a person, not just you as a student,” one Junior told us.
For Kolar, balance is important. He likes to keep it real with the kids, often having conversations about life’s struggles. He uses his favorite quote, “In the middle of difficult, lies opportunity,” by the great Albert Einstein.
“When we write in my English classroom, the first draft I tell them should always be horrible.”
Kolar teaches his students that learning is a process. From researching, presenting, and writing their own poetry, he shows them struggle is good for growth.
"That's the struggle that I want them to understand that we all have it and we need it and it’s not bad.
The concept has caught on. His students have come to appreciate it saying they have academically and personally grown while going through Mr. Kolar’s process.
"He's like, I'm going to let you struggle because that's how you learn but I'm also not going to let you fail.” Another student quickly added “It just makes you more comfortable to push yourself.”
Pushing the limit is something Kolar does from time to time himself.
He shows up to school in costumes, “I built my construction outfit but the tool belt had all of my teacher supplies."
Forrest Gump was one of his big hits. It was fitting for an avid runner like Kolar.
"I've done three, half Ironman Triathlons.”
The races were a challenge that quickly reminded Kolar that even a man of steel can't do it alone.
Filled with emotion, Kolar got a little teary-eyed as he recalled the time he had to ask one of his students for help.
“I went and talked with Elizabeth Leachman. I think a lot of the world knows now who she is, with her distance running,” Kolar said.
Leachman is the 16-year-old Boerne Champion High School star, who qualified for the USA Track & Field 2024 Olympic Trials.
She competed against some of the best long-distance runners in the U.S.
Turns out Leachman was Kolar’s third time charm after he had failed to meet his Ironman goal twice.
“She said, have fun and just enjoy the race, don’t look at it as a race” Kolar recalled, “so I took a piece of KT Tape and wrote have fun on it on my wrist."
Her wise words would go the distance and Kolar would meet his goal time in his third race. It was a huge win for the teacher and all thanks to a student.
Kolar says he enjoys sharing this particular story in class because it’s a great lesson for all. He wants his kids to know they matter and that their opinion is just as important despite their mere age.
“I'm 54 and, you know, they are teenagers. We have the ability to treat people as human beings."
Kolar is also the Student Council Advisor at Champion High School, Young Life Sponsor and Alzheimer’s Awareness Club Sponsor.