About Don & Vivian Themer

About Don and Vivian Themer

 

Donald P. Themer, 4-sport letterman and National Honor Society member, graduated from Forney as Valedictorian in 1969. While attending East Texas State University, he was an Honors Program student, inducted into Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and employed as a University Tutor, before graduating with a Broad-Field in Social Sciences first major and English second major Bachelor of Science Degree in 1973. Returning to serve as an educator in Forney ISD for 37 years, Themer’s classes included English, social studies, humanities, journalism, speech, and athletics/physical education and included coaching a National Champion in Girls’ Track. He also was National Honor Society sponsor, Yearbook advisor, and U. I. L. Academic coach, which included coaching four State Champions. He was “Teacher of the Year” more than once, was chosen as the Mirabeau B. Lamar Award recipient, and helped to initiate the Advanced Placement Program at Forney High. In the Forney community, he served on the Forney Ex-Students Association and Library, Hillcrest Cemetery, and Forney Historic Preservation League Boards of Directors, was a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and volunteered as a local coach for FYA baseball and Little Dribblers basketball. In addition, he taught Kaufman County remedial night school and GED classes for those seeking high school diplomas. His picture plaque is in the Administration Building’s Forney Ex-Students Hall of Honor, and he has been writing the Forney History Column in the Forney Messenger for nearly a decade. Themer has also served his Church as President of the Congregation, Youth League Director, Sunday School teacher, and member of the Boards of Elders and Trustees, and he is currently Co-Director of the Outreach Ministry. Don’s wife, Vivian Themer, is a 1978 graduate of Forney High School as well as all 3 of their sons. Vivian attended Tyler Junior College and was a member of the Apache Bells. When she attended East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University/Commerce), she was inducted into Alpha Chi, which is a College Honor Society. She graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a focus on home economics. She earned her Master of Education from Texas A&M University/Commerce (focus on educational administration) in 2011. She taught Home Economics and Special Education. She was also the Assistant Principal at Blackburn Elementary School for 4 years. Vivian earned Teacher of the Year 2 different years and served in many roles: Department Chair of Special Education, served as a member of the District Educational Improvement Council, served as a member of the Campus Improvement Council, served as Campus Mentor Liaison to New Teachers, served as a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Board, trained teachers to use Content Mastery for Special Education, served as a member of the Crisis Intervention Team, and initiated the Student Mentoring Program at Warren Middle School. Vivian also established and directed the first Forney Middle School drill team. Additionally, she was the Director of the Forney Highsteppers, sponsored FMS Cheerleaders, sponsored the National Junior Honor Society for FMS, sponsored Student Council, coached UIL Academic Impromptu Speaking (many first-place winners), and was the Contest Director of UIL Academics for FMS. Vivian is a member of Water of Life Lutheran church where she co-chairs the Outreach Ministry.