While the first day of retirement might require quite a change in lifestyle for most, Michael sees it a little differently. “Summers won’t be any different than what I’m used to,” she said.
But come next September, when school is in session again, she admits a new sensation will emerge. “I’ll feel lost I imagine,” she said.
Michael has completed more than three decades as a teacher, every one of them with the Valley View School District.
Most recently she taught third grade at Germantown Elementary but she started her teaching career at Farmersville Elementary School in 1966.
If the years don’t seem to add up, it’s because she taught a couple of years, stopped to have children and mixed in some years as a substitute teacher.
“All those years add up to make 31,” she said.
After so much time in front of a classroom, Michael was just beginning to see children arrive in her classroom where she could remember their parents.
“I love working with children,” she said. “I love the challenge of having a child learn.”
And even back when she graduated from Miami University, she knew she was going to complete her career at Valley View. She’s a native to the area, so is her husband and the family’s roots go as deep at agriculture.
The family operates a pig farm. “I’ve always lived in the country,” she said.
The Michael’s also raise sheep and dairy heifers. “We have a general livestock farm,” Michael said. And that’s led to another educational connection.
Carol’s husband, Don, and their two sons, Jason and Todd, are all involved in the farm. Each also is a 4-H leader.
Valley View students often get their start with the We Liket 4-H club. The Michael’s might sell an animal that a student then raises. They’re responsible for many champions sold at the Montgomery County Fair.
But with fewer youngsters living on farms nowadays, there aren’t as many livestock projects. But 4-H is more than that, and more than rural, too. Sewing and cooking are 4-H programs, too.
Even retired from teaching, Michael will stay involved in 4-H. “I love my 4-H club,” she said.
Carol remembers her own mother — who was a teacher in Germantown — encouraging her to become a teacher.
“I come from a teaching family,” Carol said. “At dinner, they would discuss educational situations, what happened in the classroom and so forth.”
And while fall may bring a nostalgic note to her day, the first big snow of winter will be all she needs to be convinced of the wisdom of her move.
Contact this columnist at (937) 696-2080 or williamgschmidt@ verizon.net.
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