BJHS teacher named Arrow Ford program recipient

Breckenridge Junior High School social studies teacher Donny Funderburg’s face may become a bit more familiar after being named a prize recipients of the Arrow Ford Teacher Tribute Program.

As part of being named a recipient, Funderburg will receive a year-long lease of the car of his choice from Arrow Ford of Abilene, appear on commercials highlighting the program and various other prizes presented during a ceremony last Tuesday inside the BJHS gymnasium.

Funderburg received the award after BJHS student Casey Jameson nominated him for the award.

“Through the year, I could trust him a lot and he trusted me,” Jameson said. “If something was wrong, then I would tell him. He knew if something was wrong and cheered me up and helped me out a lot … I feel like I have become more responsible. He has trusted me a lot more than other teachers.”

Funderburg said he was surprised it was his name that was called to come down and receive recognition, but had a good idea of what was about to transpire after hearing Jameson’s name called by area radio personality Rudy Fernandez.

“I had a pretty good idea when I saw Casey Jameson come down here that I might have a chance to win it,” Funderburg said. “I have had him in class for two years now. We’re very, very close and he’s kind of like a son to me. He does a really good job in the classroom and works really hard. Even if it wasn’t me, I was excited to see him come down.”

Along with teaching social studies at BJHS, Funderburg is also an assistant cross country and girls basketball coach. After nearly a quarter of a century teaching, Funderburg credits the children for keeping him youthful.”

“The kids have really kept me going,” Funderburg said. “This is my 24th year to teach and the kids really keep me young and energized.”