May 27, 2011
Retirement
Schools saying good-bye to long-time, faithful, caring teachers
First grade teacher Elaine Adams is honored for her years of service at St. Benedict Cathedral School in Evansville; she is retiring at the end of this school year. Above, she is with Benedictine Father Gregory Chamberlin, pastor, and Benedictine Sister Karlene Sensmeier, principal. Click for a larger version.
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
It’s the end of the school year, and this year some familiar faces are leaving the school buildings and heading into retirement.
When asked to share comments about these long-time faithful Catholic school teachers, principals used words like “outstanding” and “dedicated” and “caring.”
Benedictine Sister Karlene Sensmeier, principal at St. Benedict Cathedral School in Evansville, shared a Norwegian proverb: “Heroism consists in hanging on one minute longer.”
She was talking about first grade teacher Elaine Adams who is retiring at the end of this school year.
“In the 15 years that I have known her, she has lovingly and sometimes firmly given children and their parents the tools and role modeling they needed to help them to grow as Christians.
“From very early on, grade one children learned from her that every detail is important and every task is important enough to do well.”
Sister Karlene says the Norwegian proverb “tells of Mrs. Adams’ life story,” adding that Adams “is a hero to us, because we know she hangs on for the children every day.”
She thanked her for “never giving up,” and for “going beyond what she thought she could not do, and helping students and parents overcome their challenges.”
EVANSVILLE
• Margaret Ann Byrne will be retiring at the end of the year, according to Marty Craig, principal at Corpus Christi School. “She has been here for three years.”
• Becky Larson is retiring from Mater Dei High School after 33 years of service.
“Becky has been an outstanding member of the Mater Dei faculty for 33 years and has taught in the diocese for 46 years,” said Timothy Dickel, executive director of the Evansville high school.
“Students appreciate her positive, caring attitude and dedication to helping them succeed. I have always been impressed by her incredible energy and openness to professional growth as an educator. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues and students.”
He noted, “Here are a few of the classes that Becky taught: nutrition and wellness, fashion design, child development, housing and interior design, life and careers, interpersonal relationships and world history.”
JASPER
• Sarah Zoglman is retiring from Holy Family School after 32 years in the primary grades, said Sally Sternberg, principal.
“Sarah has spent many of those years teaching second grade and instilling in her students the importance of an active faith life and academic excellence.
“In addition to her many hours she dedicates to Holy Family School, Sarah contributes to a variety of community service organizations, such as the Dubois County Community Meals and Cursillo.
“We know that she will continue to ‘Make a Difference’ each and every day in the lives of many.”
Sternberg added that Sandy Ring has “decided to retire after 12 years of teaching music and home economics.
“Mrs. Ring was not only instrumental in instilling a love of music in her students, but she involved all students in creative programs throughout the school year, and particularly the Christmas and spring music programs.
“She also has the ability to recognize musical talent in her students and helps them to develop that gift to the best of their ability.
“We also have Jan Rasche, the head kitchen manager, and Sarah Hopf, cook, who are retiring from the kitchen.”
ST. PHILIP
Middle school science teacher Denny Hargett is retiring after finishing his fifth year at St. Philip, according to Andrea Lodato Dickel, principal.
VINCENNES
• Jane Carie writes in the Rivet newsletter, “At the end of this school year, I am retiring after teaching for 42 years in the school system.
“My first two years were at St. John’s Elementary (Flaget). The rest of my teaching career has been here at Rivet teaching both middle school and high school math and computers.
“It has been a truly great experience teaching in the Catholic schools. I want to thank the parents, students and faculty/staff for making my teaching career such a great experience.
“In a few situations, I have taught an entire family (parents and children). I leave the school with both sadness and joy. It has been a very rewarding experience and I will miss the students and faculty/staff, but I am looking forward to the next phase of my life with more time for family.
“Thank you to everyone who has made this experience such a great one for me.”
Her principal, Janice Jones, said, “I have had the honor of teaching with Jane Carie these past 16 years.
“One event that stands out in my mind is Jane helping me those weeks before my first day at Rivet. She explained meetings, the teacher Mass, and patiently answered every question I had — and continued to do so over the years.
“If you ever need to talk to someone, Jane is there! She truly cares about her colleagues and definitely her students and their families. A poll of her students will quickly yield answers of great teacher, caring, funny, dedicated, always there for you — just to name a few.
“The Rivet family is truly thankful for everything Jane has done over the years. I wish her a happy retirement and thank her for everything she has done for me.”
WASHINGTON
First grade teacher Mary Lynn Wilson is retiring after 36 years of “dedicated service” to Washington Catholic schools, according to Jeanne Heltzel, interim principal at Washington Catholic Elementary School.
“She has been an invaluable fundraiser for and an impassioned supporter of Catholic education. The Catholic Community of Washington appreciates all she has done and she will be greatly missed.”