As a teenager, Timothy Kuhlman walked the halls of Free State High, picking up his diploma there in 2005.

From there, he went to Kansas State University, taking pride in his status as a Wildcat, earning his bachelor’s degree last year.

When the time came around for Kuhlman to choose where he would kick-start his career as a teacher, he was audacious enough to apply for a position with an old rival.

“Well, he is a K-State graduate and a Free State graduate, so there’s a nice list of things to hate,” pointed out junior Elliot Klopp, who is enrolled in Kuhlman’s fifth-hour physics class. “But otherwise, he is a very good teacher.”

As a 2010 addition to the faculty, Kuhlman is among the newest, youngest breed of LHS teachers.

“Lawrence is my home, so I was thrilled to come back,” Kuhlman said. “When I was thinking of possible places to apply, LHS was my first choice. This was because I already knew what Free State was like, and I wanted to experience a different side of Lawrence. Free State is a place that’s sort of still building its tradition, and it’s nice to be a part of something that has had tradition for so long.”

Twenty-three-year-old Kuhlman teaches chemistry and physics. The seeds of his current vocation were sown during his junior year at Free State. He took a physics course and discovered he preferred it to most of his other classes.

“I took several science classes at Free State, and physics was actually my first love,” he said.

After graduating, Kuhlman’s primary interest was in engineering, which he majored in his first year at K-State. The following year, however, he switched to education.

“I do like working with kids, so I wanted something that was more involved with people,” Kuhlman said. “I felt that engineering wouldn’t give me the kinds of connections that I was looking for in everyday life.”

Despite his past history, it is apparent students and staff of Lawrence High have welcomed Kuhlman.

“All the teachers have been nice and friendly, and the students are all really enthusiastic,” Kuhlman said. “There’s a nice diversity in the student body here … many kinds of people I would’ve never met at Free State, because, you know, when you’re in high school you tend to socialize mostly with just the people in your own clique.”

Junior Constantine Ochs, who is in Kuhlman’s fifth-hour physics class, is willing to give the teacher a seal of approval.

“Mr. Kuhlman’s a great teacher,” Ochs said. “He helps us out a lot in class. I also think he’s pretty funny at times, and I like his red hair.”

Looking to the future, Kuhlman envisions himself overcoming any prejudice and forging a rich, enduring career at LHS.

“Tentatively, I’d love to be at this school until I retire,” he said.

After all, Kuhlman claimed he never fell victim to Free State-centric school spirit.

“I don’t have a conflict of interest,” he said. “I could say that I am a Lions fan all the way now, and I always root for our people. I mean, I still root for Free State, too, but not when they’re up against LHS.”