Retiring teachers reflect

What is your fondest memory of working in USD 234?

Jane Williams- "My fondest memories with the Fort Scott schools come from advancing students from the beginning 5th grade class through the high school orchestra. Teaching these young musicians for eight years creates a special bond. We work hard together and have fun together! After my students graduate, I love to follow their careers and have them return to share their experiences. My successes continue through their music involvement and enjoyment."

Glenda Miller- "My fondest memory of teaching in this district is the time we took the first graders from Winfield Scott to a dairy farm. We thought it would be great for them to try the raw milk. It did not agree with all the students. They still take the field trip each year, but the students do not drink the raw milk. I think it is one of the trips that all of the students remember the best as they get to see the cows and visit the milk barn. They know where milk comes from. This memory would be followed by the memory of winning $1,000 from Sonic for a video my Eugene Ware class made about a Volga German wedding."

Ron Klassen- "Seeing some children attempting to fight the good fight that God has called all of us to do."

Debbie Lewis- "In primary eduction, the seeds are planted for the love of learning and developing into a responsible citizen. I have personally had the privilege of observing the lives of many former Winfield Scott students, who as they grew, entered into the fields of medicine, engineering, law, education, Christian leadership, and various other career fields which focus on helping and serving others."

Why are you retiring? Explain why now is the time for you to retire, and was it hard to announce your retirement?

Williams- "Retiring is a bittersweet yet exciting time for me. I leave knowing how far our orchestra program has advanced. A lot has been accomplished in the last two decades. The high school program has grown from six students to as many as 65 at times. A high point was our performance at the Kansas Music Educators Association State Convention in the Century II Concert Hall, Wichita."

Miller- "Teaching is very different at present. We have to spend lots of time preparing the students for the state assessments. This leaves only small amounts of time where we can do activities and field trips. It is very frustrating for teachers and students to keep things in balance. We want students to do well on the tests, but we also want students to enjoy learning and to keep them in school. What kids remember from school should not be all the time we spent on getting ready for state assessments, but rather some of the first-hand experiences and activities that they have enjoyed. I love it when students see me and say things like, 'Remember the hot air balloons?' 'I loved making bread in a bag and churning homemade butter.' 'Yes, I remember when I won the egg drop contest.' 'The hay rack ride was really fun,' for example. Ask teachers about some of their fun activities, you will find that they have had to drop many of them because they need the time to review for the tests. Of course, in education if you stay around long enough the pendulum will swing back to things we used to do, but I won't be around that long.

Klassen- "I am retiring because I want to pursue other interests at my own leisure."

Lewis- "Having taught since I was 21 years of age, I felt that a change in my life would be exciting. I am looking forward to spending more time with family and friends and pursuing new interests that involve serving God and others."

What is the most important thing you will take with you from working in USD 234?

Klassen- "We must all run the race that God has called us to run and teaching in Fort Scott was part of my race."

Miller- "I take with me the fact that there are many, many terrific teachers in the Fort Scott system, and I get to call them friends. My team at Eugene Ware is a collection of wonderful people. Each of us has a strong point and when you put them all together we are able to handle any situation that comes along. I have made lifelong friendships with them. These friends I will really miss, but I plan to keep in touch."

Williams- "There have been many supportive people of our program, and friendships created through the years that will remain with me. It was still a difficult decision. My plans for retirement include traveling and spending time with family. My husband, Ron, and I have four married children and five grandchildren. We enjoy live music, theater, and plan to visit museums and concert/recital halls in various parts of the country."

Lewis- "It has been a blessing from God to be a part of the Winfield Scott staff. My coworkers are family to me, having shared in all the personal life experiences of raising a family in a small rural community."