Staff writer
Summer is a chance for students to get out of the classroom and make fun memories with friends and family.
This also is true for the teachers.
Kim Whiteman has been a fourth grade teacher at Marion Elementary School for the past three years.
Whiteman’s summer has been full of projects and classes. At the beginning of the summer, she helped teach a kindergarten vacation Bible school class with Lana Fahey. Whiteman also took a continuing education class called Pathways to Reading.
At the end of the school year, Whiteman’s goal was to paint her house. “I’ve done a lot of painting with my mother-in-law,” she said. “We’re pretty close to being done.”
Whiteman also has tutored, taken a vacation to Texas with her husband, and visited home over July 4. “I’ve also helped my husband with farm work,” she added.
As far as getting her classroom ready for the new school year, Whiteman has been in the room some. “I’ve set it up and organized things in cabinets but I haven’t done anything yet as far as meeting with other teachers.”
As for the summer, “it’s been pretty low key.”
Another teacher who has experienced a low-key summer is Ginger Becker. Becker teaches fifth and sixth grade language arts at Marion Elementary School.
“This summer I’ve enjoyed living on a farm. I’ve read six professional books. I’ve attended a couple of workshops, and I’ve worked for an international speaker who is based out of Texas.”
Becker and her husband, Kent, have traveled to Colorado a couple of times to see family as well.
Becker said she has loved being able to do whatever it is she wanted to do this summer.
Some goals Becker had when school got out included remodeling her bathroom. “I started writing in my journal again and I wanted to do different things with my yard.”
Becker said the summer usually is a time for her to communicate with people she usually doesn’t communicate with during the school year.
In June, Becker facilitated a Charm School for eight girls in grades three through five.
“We did pedicures and manicures. I taught them how to talk on the phone and answer the phone, how to sit and walk right in a dress, and we had a four-course meal. We also touched on hair care and skin care.
“It was all about being a little lady.”
Deanna Thierolf, seventh and eighth grade math teacher at Marion Middle School, has had a busy — but relaxing — summer.
She has taught middle school volleyball camp, Florence swimming lessons, helped with swimming lessons in Marion, took some college courses to recertify her teaching certificate, visited family, and is now in Europe for two weeks.
“Each summer my mom and daughter and I take an annual trip and last year we went to Niagara Falls and Canada. This year we decided to go to Europe. It’s something I always look forward to in the summer — making memories with my mom and my daughter.”
This year Thierolf’s daughter, Kaylnn, decided not to join in on the trip because it was too far.
While in Europe, Thierolf said she and her mother will fly into Berlin and travel to different castles. They will venture to Switzerland, Germany, and perhaps Belgium.
Knowing she would be gone for two weeks, Thierolf said she already has been up to the school. “My room is ready to go. My lesson plans are done for the first week of school.”
Thierolf said her summer has been enjoyable. “It’s been kind of an enjoyable summer because I haven’t had the pool to run. I’ve trained some lifeguards early on in the summer but haven’t had much responsibility.
“It’s been a nice and relaxing summer.”