Retiring Clear Lake teachers reflect on a bittersweet end to their careers

by Marianne Gasaway

Six teachers retiring this year probably thought they had seen it all in their combined 189-years in Clear Lake schools.  But even they couldn’t have envisioned such a sudden and unique end to their teaching careers.

“It’s been very bittersweet to make the decision to retire and to not be with students up til my last day,” said Kim Williamson, who is completing her 34th year in the district.  She began her career as a first grade student teacher who went on to serve as a substitute teacher, para educator and special education para prior to being hired as a full-time second grade teacher in 1991. She bounced between first and second grade throughout her career, with classrooms at Lincoln, Sunset and Clear Creek Elementary.  “I will have to say not having kids in the classroom to interact with every school day has been the hardest thing for me.  It has just been heartbreaking. I miss those smiles and hugs.”

Paul Langholz, who is finishing his 36th year in Clear Lake, primarily teaching 9-12 vocal music, calls it “quite overwhelming” to look back over a long career, knowing that it is drawing to a close.

“At our wedding in 1977, the presiding minister mentioned in his remarks that he had read in one of my recent papers that I was already looking forward to retirement.  It’s one of those times that almost everyone likely looks forward to, but the closer the day comes, I find that I am remembering and treasuring the positive experiences much more

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than those negative experiences that have also been sprinkled through the years.  As much as I look forward to a more relaxed schedule, and hopefully more opportunities to visit kids and grandkids, I also realize I am going to miss making music with these wonderful, caring, talented Clear Lake teenagers,” said Langholz.  “I am filled with gratitude for the students, parents, and colleagues who have helped along the way, but I am most thankful for my wife, Anita, who has been by my side throughout all the years, supporting and cheering me on.  I could never have done it without her.”

Sherry Hansen has taught high school Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology for 34 years.  Combined with the fact that she is herself a CLHS graduate, Hansen said she has done that math and determined that she has spent almost 70 percent of her life in the high school.  She calls her CLHS physics instructor, Dwight Williamson, her mentor, saying “he not only challenged me to think when I was a student, but also inspired me to go into science education.”

When asked what has brought the greatest sense of achievement to her years in the classroom, Hansen said two things stand out.  First, the CLHS annual blood drive conducted by her Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 classes since 2000.  “It has become a great tradition and the goal of creating life-long donors has become a reality. As of this past March, CLHS students and staff had donated 1,429 units of blood. LifeServe now also recognizes seniors who have donated at least three times during high school. These “Donors of Distinction” are given red cords to wear at their graduation ceremony.  Secondly, I have had the pleasure of seeing many former students go into biological and health-related fields. I am hopeful that I had a small part in sparking their interest and/or building their foundational knowledge in these areas. It is great to hear from them and catch up on what they are doing today.”  Another favorite memory includes having the privilege of teaching her youngest brother, her own three children and their friends.

Elementary teachers Val Schaefer, Kathy Truesdell and Janese Hand said their sense of achievement has also come from watching children they have taught grow up.

“I have been reflecting on all the children that I have been able to touch in one way or another and watching them grow up and see where life takes them.  Also, I have loved mentoring new teachers- helping them dig deeper into the curriculum, and use best practices to help our students in their learning,” said Schaefer.  She is completing her 30th year in Clear Lake, having taught kindergarten, first grade and third grade.  The last four years she has been an Instructional Coach.  “I have loved being an educator in the community I live in,” she said. “Getting to know and work with all the children in one family has been a joy.”

“Teaching and watching children grow as readers is an amazing experience,” said Kathy Truesdell,  who began her teaching career in Clear Lake 33 years ago.  She began teaching Title I Math and Reading with grades four through six, then when the sixth grade moved to the Middle School, she began working with third grade, as well.  Over the years she has moved down grade levels and now teaches only reading with first and second graders.  “Preparing children for future success is a  huge responsibility.  I feel blessed to know that I have had even a small part in students’ success.  They seem to make me laugh on a daily basis.  Humor goes a long way when things get a bit tense.”  With a smile, Truesdell recalled working with a little girl in first grade.  “She was reading along and I noticed she had skipped over a particular word.  It was a sight word I thought she should know.  I asked her to go back to the word and then I asked her if she could tell me what the word was that she had skipped.  Her response was,  ‘Oh, you don’t know that word either?’”

“There is nothing  better than seeing the face of a child get something and know that he or she can do it, whether is is learning how to read, comprehend what they have read, math concepts, or whatever!  It makes my heart smile,” adds Williamson.

Janese Hand started her career as an early childhood special education teacher and then helped implement a reverse integration preschool class. She is completing her 22-years in Clear Lake by currently teaching four-year-old preschool.

“My teaching techniques have evolved and changed continuously throughout my career. As I continued to learn and grow as an educator, I would adjust my teaching style and incorporate new techniques.  One of the most  exciting changes has been moving from Teacher Centered instruction to a Student Centered approach. Using a Student Centered approach allows for the children to have more engagement and interaction while learning, leading to higher levels of achievement. The teachers role has become  a bit more challenging as it involves fostering and facilitating learning that encourages such things as critical thinking, communication, problem solving, social skills and more.”

Nearly all of the retiring teachers listed technology as both critical to their teaching success, but also called it their greatest challenge.

“When I started, it was blackboards, chalk, paper and pencils,” said Hansen.  “There were transitions to whiteboards, overhead transparencies and then computer-projected materials. Finally, the one-to-one computers have allowed us to continue educating students even with the COVID-19 school closings. We can now do virtual on-line labs which aren’t as good as the real thing but better than nothing!”

What else has been the secret of their success?  Clear Lake’s retiring teachers say they have been blessed with powerful mentors and sage advice.

“As I left college, Dr. Fritschel gave me two great pieces of advice,” shared Langholz.  “Number one, if you ever program pop music, keep it simple; and two, make sure you get to know your secretaries and custodians.”

Williamson echoed similar sentiments.  “The best advice I have ever received as a teacher is to have custodians and secretaries as your best buddies.  They are the ones that always know all the answers and work so hard for the kids and staff.   I have so much respect for them.”

“Be flexible,” is something Hansen said she learned early in her career.  “No matter how well prepared you are, something unexpected will happen and you have to adapt quickly.”

Likewise, Hand said she was advised not to worry if things don’t go as planned. Rather, reflect and learn from your experiences.  “One of my biggest accomplishments comes when a parents tells me their child is sad they have to miss school.  It is important to me to help children develop a love of learning and I believe you have to create an environment where children look forward to coming each day for that love of learning to occur,” she said.

“The best mentors I have had have been the wonderful teachers I have taught with,” said Schaefer.  “They have pushed me to grow and become a better educator.  Some advice I have received and would wish to pass on would be to use the same passion each day of school that you had on your first day of teaching. Don’t be afraid to try new things and to lean on your colleagues. Remember that you are in this profession for the children and always, always, be a life-long learner.”

“One beneficial and practical piece of advice was  from a special education teacher who told me to always stay calm,” shared Truesdell.  “Never let a student ‘get to you’ no  matter how hard they try to push your buttons.  Again, humor can be a great tension breaker. Another  was to never let children feel as though they have been backed-into-a-corner.   This advice has helped me when working with children to resolve conflicts.    Also, one former teacher, not too long ago, told me that retirement was awesome and that I should do it as soon as possibly feasible.”

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