Dragon Tales - May 2013

Recognition of Retirement

Dragon TalesMagazine

Special Edition 2013

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510 Deill Pittsburg, KS

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Contents• 5| Dave Hudson

• 7| Debby Baima

• 9| Becky Barrett

• 10| Melissa Rink

• 13| Mike Hogard

• 15| Bev Snodgrass

• 17| Doris Grotheer

• 19| Carol Ayers

• 21| Nancy Arthurs

• 23| Sandy Haile

• 25| Mike Wilbert

• 27| Sandra Godsey

• 28| Nancy Hurt

• 31| Bonnie Fenimore

• 33| Carolyn Ahring

Dave Hudson

4 • Dragon Tales

10 Years

From an early age, Dave Hudson has loved numbers. As an undergrad at Pittsburg State University, he went into math but he wasn’t

certain he would become a math teacher. Instead, he thought he was going to go into the oil business like his brother. He ended up becoming a graduate assistant in the math program and the administration at Girard Schools approached him for a teaching job. “I just sort of fell into it,” Hudson says. “I always wanted to coach and I always enjoyed school.” Hudson counts himself fortunate. “I started working and just stuck with it,” he said. “I enjoy what I do. I never thought it was drudg-ery doing what I do.” He has spent 42 years in the education profes-sion with 13 years at Girard and 19 at Olathe and 10 at Pittsburg Community Schools.

“I like the interaction with students and seeing them grow in and out of class,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like 42 years.” Hudson says a moment which has impacted him was at the 2012 graduation when Morgan Woods, then a senior, made comments about faculty and staff. “She recognized me as a teacher,” he said. “it brought tears to my eyes and became the most defin-ing moment for me.” Some advice he would like to pass on to future teachers would be to not lose a sense of humor, take time for yourself and enjoy what you are doing. During retirement, Hudson will be farming in Girard and spoiling him and his wife Pat’s first grand-child, who is expected to arrive in mid-may.

“I enjoy what I do. I never thought it was drudgery doing what I do.” ~ Dave Hudson

Dave Hudson gives a math lecture to students in his class. During retirement, Hudson will be farming in Girard and spoiling him and his wife Pat’s first grandchild, who is expected to arrive in mid-may.

“Students need guidance along with love, respect and lots of patience.” ~ Debbie Baima

6 • Dragon Tales

Debby Baima

26 Years

Debby BaimaThe delight of children asking questions

and learning is something that drives Debby Baima out of bed and into the

classroom. In fact, it is what has sparked her excitement in the education field for 37 years; 26 of which have been with Pittsburg Commu-nity Schools. “It’s the never knowing or what to an-ticipate when the students come to class that keeps me going,” Baima said. “I like seeing the bright outlook and the spark in the children’s minds when they grasp a concept.” That spark can be seen when watching the expressions on the stu-dents’ faces when asking answering a question about lessons taught in the classroom. “Teaching is a very challenging career but also very rewarding,” Baima said.

She states that education has changed during her tenure, but the

needs of the children are pretty much the same.

“Students need guidance along

with love, respect and lots of patience,” she said. “My goal each year is to make my class feel like we are a fam-ily.” The family bond can be felt when you enter Baima’s classroom as students are excited to see her and she shares the same excitement for learning. While there is a bond like family, Baima’s students are tasked with responsibility and respect. “I try to make teaching and learning fun for my students, while expecting the most from each child. I fo-cus on meeting the challenges and needs of each student every day,” Baima said. “When you’re Baima’s kids you have a large reputation to uphold.”

While she will miss the students she has taught over the years, she says it was a calling that has been

fulfilled. In retirement, Baima and her husband are going to travel and spend more time with their children and grand-children.

Debby Baima assists a student with an assignment. Prior to teach-ing at Pittsburg Community Schools, Baima taught in Weir, Kan. and Marceline, Mo.

“When you’re Baima’s kids you have a large reputation to uphold.”~ Debby Baima

8 • Dragon Tales31 Years

Becky Barrett

Becky Barrett says she fell in love with a career that combined two of her favorite passions; nursing and education. Barrett, having served

as a school nurse with Pittsburg Community Schools for 30 years has seen many students come through her clinics. “I’ve seen generations of families in my ten-ure,” says Barrett. “You don’t realize how many kids’ lives you’ve touched until you see something like that.”

She says having generational opportunities has helped her apply aid needed. Barrett says a lot of times, a student’s parent had the same mannerisms

and she can then coax them to treatment needed using same methods. While the years have added up, she says great strides have been made in the realm of medicine, including epinephrine, AEDs, aid for students and the medical van. “It was nice to see that happen and that there is that level of help for the kids,” she said. Barrett’s love for nursing and education has helped her see children in both sickness and health.

She says some tips she would give to a new nurse would be to “have a passion for kids and families, be a child advocate and use resources that are spread across the state.” Upon retirement, Barrett plans to take a few trips with friends and family. “I just want to take one day at a time

and be spontaneous,” she said.

“Have a passion for kids and families, be a child advocate and use resources that are spread across the state.”~ Becky Barrett

Dragon Tales • 9

School nurse Becky Barrett checks a student to check for signs of sickness. While the years have added up, she says great strides have been made in the realm of medicine, including epinephrine, AEDs, aid for students and the medical van.

8 Years

While finishing out her 28 years in the field of education, seven of those here at Pittsburg Community Schools, Melissa Rink says

English for Speakers of Other Languages has been one of her favorite areas. “In all areas teaching can be challenging and rewarding,” Rink says. “It’s really rewarding with the students eager to learn.” Rink says her past experience teaching kinder-garten and first grade have helped her apply some of the same techniques with ESOL students. “They come in excited for what they might learn that day,” she said. Some of the techniques include visual learning and other educational modalities. From her experience as a teacher, she has taught her own children a valuable lesson –

“A lot of kids are unfortunate and school is a place to be safe and happy,” she says. “It’s my job to make it a good experience for those students.” Rink says leaving teaching will be hard to do. “It is what I always wanted to do,” she said. “I am going to miss the kids and people I work with who are just awesome educators.” Upon retirement, she plans to play with her eight grandchildren and get better at golf.

Melissa Rink

“A lot of kids are unfortunate and school is a place to be safe and happy.”~ Melissa Rink Melissa Rink assists a student with his language skills, while using

Rosetta Stone. Rink says she enjoys the students being eager to learn.

Dragon Tales • 11

16 Years12 • Dragon Tales

Mike Hogard speaks to a student before starting a lesson. Upon retirement, Hogard plans to learn Lenox, substitute, babysit grandchildren, read and clean house.

Writings on an old desk display messages from students to Mike Hogard. When he retires, Hogard will also take the desk to keep all the memories of students he has served.

For English teacher Mike Hogard, teaching has become a journey of relationships, mentorship and instilling wholesomeness in students. A lot

of those three traits, Hogard says, come from simple respect. “Respect is a two-way street. You won’t get it unless you give it,” says Hogard. “I’d like to think I’ve had a great impact on students. I know they’ve impacted me.” Hogard graduated high school at the age of 17 and college at 20 years old. He began to think he was way too young to teach and shortly got out of it before coming back to his original passion. “Coming to Pittsburg Schools, I was hired to help Koeta Bryant with a writing center they were starting. Bryant, in my book can be classified as a saint,” he said. Another person he credits with impacting his teaching career includes Al Ortalani. “Al was my mentor,” says Hogard. “He taught me how to reach and deal with students.” He says this year has been one of the hardest;

sighting that he’ll obviously miss the students, but also changes in education. “It’s changing so much and the state is being so inane. I’m getting too old to change with it,” Hog-ard said. Even with those words about change, he says PHS is the best place on Earth. “The kids and teachers who stick around make the school,” he said. “Teachers really care and are interested in kid’s lives and that is really special.” Upon retirement, Hogard plans to learn Lenox, substitute, babysit grandchildren, read and clean house. While emotions run high for families seeing their children move on to another chapter in life and Hogard moves on with his, he says graduation day is going to be one of the hardest days to get over. As time passes and memories are rekindled over social networking, wedding invites or just a trip to the store, Hogard says there’s one thing he doesn’t want his students to forget. – “Don’t forget children, I love you.”

“Teachers really care and are interested in kid’s lives and that is really special.”~ Mike Hogard

Mike Hogard

13 Years14 • Dragon Tales

Bev Snodgrass

Teaching runs in Bev Snodgrass’s family. From an early age she knew she wanted to make edu-cation a career.

“I remember as a child watching my teachers teach and knew that I would love doing that,” Snod-grass said. “I was fascinated by them writing on the board with chalk and just wanted to get to do that, too. Three of her five brothers went into education along with several cousins. “I never thought of doing anything else and never regretted my decision to be a teacher,” she said.

It was those decisions and the love of learning that created Snodgrass’s philosophy in teaching. “I believe that the needs of the students should come first,” she said. “Sometimes there are many in-dividual needs in a classroom, but I always want to do the best that I can for each child.” Sometimes teachers go about their job without realizing the impact children have on their own lives; Snodgrass isn’t any different. Upon reflection of her years in teaching, she began to think about the smiles of the children and their thought process. “Children can put a smile on your face even when you are not feeling your best,” she said. “They accept you the way you are and trust you without hesitation. The students can open your eyes to look at situations in a different way. I truly appreciate the ways they have affected my life.” During retirement, she hopes to spend more time with her eight grandchildren and enjoy them and their activities.

“Children can put a smile on your face even when you are not feeling your best.”~ Bev Snodgrass

Doris Grotheer reads to students to get them more engaged with the process of reading for pleasure.


Dragon Tales • 17

Doris GrotheerDoris Grotheer found at an early age, with the help

of Miss Hazelwood, her high school librarian; she enjoyed the profession before ever being certified. “The study hall was in the library, so while the other high school students were being quiet, I was al-lowed to check out books for students,” says Grotheer. “I discovered that I liked shelving, stamping and even repairing books. Since I loved everything to do with books and the library, it was a logical choice that after obtaining my degree in elementary education, I be-came certified as a library media specialist.” Grotheer says she hopes to have impacted stu-dents if discovering the joy of reading. “Since reading is so important, not just for educational purposes but for lifelong pleasure, I don’t want to be the stereotypical battleaxe librarian who goes around shushing kids,” she said. “I am always so happy to see my kids in the Pittsburg Public Library. When I see them there, I know that I’ve had a positive impact and I hope they will continue to use the library throughout their lives.” Her impact comes from her philosophy, which makes the library an inviting and enjoyable classroom. “I want my classroom to be a place where students learn. I want the students to feel respected

and safe but I have to admit that some lessons are not exactly fun,” she said. “However, as much as possible, I have tried to make many of my library lessons into games or other interesting and challenging activities.” Grotheer left teaching after six year and went into many other sectors before returning. She says she loves change and coming back to education was the change she needed. “Each child is important and I hope that when they remember me that will think of the ‘library lady’who loved to read to them, who helped them se-lect the very best funny, scary, exciting and interesting books and who always had a smile for them.”

“Since reading is so impor-tant, not just for educational purposes but for lifelong plea-sure.”~ Doris Grotheer

Carol Ayers looks on as a student displays the concept of patterns. Ayers has served as building representative for KNEA and PEA.


Carol Ayers

As they begin their educational journey in kindergarten, I want to leave with them the love of discovering and learning for a life-time.” ~ Carol Ayers

After graduating from the former Kansas State Teachers College (Pittsburg State University), in 1973, Carol Ayers taught kindergarten in

many locations. Those include Frontenac, McCune/West Mineral and Silverthorne, Colorado. When Ayers came back from Colorado, she worked as a paraprofessional before coming back to her roots as a kindergarten teacher 12 years ago. Ayers says she has enjoyed the last 35 years as a teacher, with 28 of those in USD 250. “I liked the idea being in charge of my own classroom and guiding students in the learning pro-cess,” she said. Her love for knowledge has transformed how she hopes to impact her students and her philosophy on teaching. “As they begin their educational journey in kindergarten, I want to leave with them the love of dis-covering and learning for a lifetime,” she said. “I liked to do hands-on projects to stimulate more of their senses. I also tried to put a sense of humor in my teaching. Laughter could always be heard coming from my classroom.” While the road to retirement has been a long one, Ayers says the children have kept her motivated. “My students have given me purpose and sparked my passion to teach,” she said. “I always looked forward to going to school every day to see what new things were possible for

that day.” Recently, Ayers has taken on a new role while going into retirement. She has become the caregiver for her husband. “In our spare time, we have a cabin at Craw-ford State Park that we like to go to with our three dogs,” she said.

20 • Dragon Tales

Nancy Arthurs

36 Years

For the past 44 years, Nancy Arthurs has been teaching but 36 of those were here at Pittsburg Community Schools.

Arthurs sees her retirement as coming full circle. She began her career as a first grade teacher then explored other areas in education before going back to teach first grade. “I just like that eureka moment when someone is learning and you can see the light bulb come on,” Arthurs said. Through all the years, Arthurs mind has thought about reliability of education.

“The kids rely on me to teach them and just seeing the kids understanding a concept keeps me go-ing,” she says. Arthurs teaching philosophy is interactive by finding the balance between traditional education and finding a way to relate to the students. “You have to make it fun to learn. That’s what I hope I have done for my students,” says Arthurs. “We have fun but they know when to be serious.”She says choosing education as a career came natu-rally. “I’ve always enjoyed teaching,” says Arthurs. “I suppose it’s probably the way God made me. It’s the greatest profession ever.” Arthurs says that even though it has been 44 years, she still has anxiety about leaving a career she so dearly loves. “If you really like what you’re doing, it seems funny to quit because of a number on your birth cer-tificate,” she said. “It’s going to be rough leaving.” When she leaves, she is going to be more in-volved in her side business and hobby of woodcarving and other craft work.

“If you really like what you’re doing, it seems funny to quit because of a number on your birth certificate,” ~ Nancy Arthurs

Every year my students have humbled me with their sincerity and love!”~ Sandy Haile

22 • Dragon Tales

Sandy Haile was influenced as a very young child to become an educator. You could say it was in her blood.

“My mother taught English and Reading at Roosevelt for years and always talked about how won-derful it was to work with kids and watch them grow in knowledge,” Haile said. “When I was just started college, I worked in a YMCA summer camp teaching horseback riding to all ages.” Haile has evolved her own teaching philosophy for many different ways of learning. “I believe it should be effective, yet fun and exciting,” she said. “I am a firm believer that text-books are only the resource, in many subjects to guide lessons, but that the actual teaching is in doing activi-ties that leave impressions in their minds. The teachers I had that did hands-on learning taught me more than just reading and observing materials in a book.” While working for 37 years in education, Haile

has found many sources of motivation. “I enjoy working with people in general; kids and parents, along with learning from co-workers,” she said. “I knew as a child that with some people, learning was more difficult but with the right influ-ence, patience and teaching style, teachers can make a difference!” Her students excitement in their eyes and warmth in their hearts has kept her trying to make each year better than the last. “The eyes of child impact a teacher, every day whether in a classroom, at the park or just bumping into them out shopping,” she says. “A teacher just knows instinctively when a child has been touched by their teaching, because they have made growth academically and through their self esteem, which is reflected in their gestures whenever they see you! Every year my students have humbled me with their sincerity and love!”

37 Years

Sandy Haile


“Teaching never felt like a job... I have enjoyed it for all these 39 years.”~ Mike Wilbert

Mike WilbertThe passion for learning has not only expanded

the knowledge of Mike Wilbert over the past 39 years of teaching, but has been the reason he

entered education. “I always enjoyed school and learning. Work-ing with students and sharing my interests was a natural fit,” Wilbert said. “I would like to think that I helped the students become independent thinkers and problem solvers in their future.” Wilbert says the constant learning and the stu-dents have motivated him to stick with teaching. “Teaching never felt like a job... I have enjoyed it for all these 39 years,” he said. “I believe the stu-dents have helped to keep me young.” Even though he tries to have fun within his classes, he says having a disciplined classroom, engag-ing students and demanding the best efforts of students has netted results in student achievement. While he does not have specific plans for re-tirement, he plans to spend more time on hobbies and pursue other adventures. He says the time has flown by, which he also gives advice to teachers. “Enjoy the work and the time will pass; all too quickly,” he said.


Dragon Tales • 27

Sandra Godsey

Starting out working in her church nursery and Sunday school, Sandra Godsey found a love for working with children.

That love for children has kept her motivated with her education career. “I didn’t consider teaching a job,” she said. “I love seeing the expressions on their faces when they have learned something that they had difficult time learning.” To keep learning interesting, Godsey tries dif-ferent methods of instruction until all children reach their learning capabilities. Her dedication and passion to see children learn has brought an enormous impact to her life. “I see students now as adults and they tell me they remember how I had impacted their life,” she said. “It really makes my day knowing that I was able

to have a hand in molding them into the person they are today.” Upon retirement, Godsey and her husband plan to travel. She plans to do some quilting, scrapbooking and crocheting.

“I love seeing the expressions on their faces when they have learned something that they had difficult time learning.”~ Sandra Godsey

Nancy Hurt

While going to college, Chemistry helped Nancy Hurt solidify her decision to become a teacher.

“Actually I had always wanted to be an el-ementary teacher. I had had some marvelous teachers in elementary school, starting with my most favorite my first grade teacher, and wanted to follow in their steps,” she said. “When I started PSU I suffered what many freshmen do. I became confused about my ca-reer goal, and strayed off the teacher track and decided to major in biology and minor in chemistry.” Hurt enrolled in her first chemistry class. “That class cleared my head, so to speak, and I realized that I really did want to be a teacher,” says Hurt. “Thank God for chemistry!” As an art teacher, Hurt says she wants her stu-dents to be art lovers and life-long learners. To achieve that, Hurt’s teaching philosophy has been fair, firm, funny and friendly. “Kids need to know what the classroom rules are and that they apply to everyone. They need to feel like what’s fair for one is fair for all,” she said. “I think they keep score somewhere. As I’ve progressed through my teaching career I’ve become aware that kids need to be hooked into their lessons in more so-phisticated ways.” When it comes to being funny, Hurt says the competition is pretty stiff. “My competition has gone from television with 3 channel selections to mega exciting video games,”

she said. “A friendly and funny teacher is not quite at the top of their entertainment demands, but it is pretty good bait.” Hurt says the children have actually kept her young and on her toes, which motivated her to stay in education for 42 years. “Education is very addictive and I can foresee a painful withdrawal about the last week of August coming my way. Just kidding, who am I fooling? I will definitely miss it! But retirement will help me get over it!” Some parting words for aspiring teachers include how fast-paced and rewarding the teaching profession can be. “Textbooks come and go, behavior plans do

the same,” she said. “Change is good…good for the soul and the kids. Give it your best and you will be rewarded. There’s nothing like a smile on a little kid’s face. And don’t forget to buy a really good pair of shoes…there’s not much seat time in a classroom.”

“A friendly and funny teacher is not quite at the top of their entertainment demands, but it is pretty good bait.”~ Nancy Hurt

Nancy Hurt assists students on a weaving project. She says Chemistry helped her solidify wanting to become a teacher.

Dragon Tales • 2942 Years


Bonnie Fenimore helps a student on school-work. During retirement, Fenimore and her husband plan to travel more.

Dragon Tales • 31

Bonnie Fenimore

As a teenager, Bonnie Fenimore says she devel-oped an interest in developmentally disabled children. The decision to actually go into that

field of education came in the late 70’s. “When it came time to complete my education in 1977, special education had a need for teachers so I chose that field,” Fenimore said. While the one-on-one teaching has been a large portion of her teaching career, she believes the educa-tion goes beyond the four walls of the school. “My focus has always been on the individual student, their strengths and weaknesses. I believe that it is important to work as closely as possible with the families of students,” she said. “I wanted the stu-dent, the family, and myself to always be on the same page.” Fenimore has expectations for her students, which she says will help them grow. “I want my students to be independent, re-spectful, and to take ownership for their decisions,” she said. During her 42 years in education, Fenimore has made bonds with people who have been there dur-ing difficult times. “There is no place else I would rather have been. I have known many people that dreaded going to their job and I always felt that it was sad to spend so much of your life doing something you didn’t enjoy,” says Fenimore. “During difficult times in my personal life, my job was often my place of sanctuary.”

When Fenimore retires, her plan is to do more traveling and visit her son in New York. “I enjoy working in my little yard,” she said. “I am thinking of pursuing a language. We will just see what plays out.” Fenimore says though it is important to pursue best practices and develop your skills, students are still number one priority. “I don’t think anything is as important as being there for your students on a daily basis,” she said. “Never underestimate how much your students need and depend on you.”

“During difficult times in my personal life, my job was often my place of sanctuary.” ~ Bonnie Fenimore

Carolyn Ahring gives direction to a student during a painting activitiy. Ahring wants to continue making a positive impact in the lives of children.


Dragon Tales • 33

Carolyn Ahring

Upon entering college on a scholarship, Carolyn Ahring selected Early Childhood Education because it was a two-year program. It fit per-

fectly with Ahring’s plan as she only wanted to go to college for two years. All of that changed thanks to her college adviser. “I had a wonderful adviser who encouraged me to continue my education. I ended up going to five different schools of higher education and got a Mas-ters degree plus 30 hours,” Ahring said. She found her niche and fell in love with her career. “It is a profession that is challenging, reward-ing and provides you with an opportunity to learn something different every day,” she said. “I love the students. It is never boring. Every day is different.” That constant learning and passion for early education has motivated Ahring to stick with educa-tion; something she hope passes down to her students. “I want them to feel loved, important, respon-sible and eager to learn for the rest of their lives,” she said. “They have made me feel like I have accom-plished something when I see them make progress whether it is academically or socially.”

When she retires, Ahring wants to continue to work but in a position that requires less paperwork and less hours of planning. “I hope to continue to do something that will have a positive impact on others’ lives,” she said. For future educators, she has a few words of advice; “Have a good sense of humor and find some adult friends or co-workers to enjoy spending time with so you can laugh and problem solve together.”

“I want them to feel loved, im-portant, responsible and eager to learn for the rest of their lives.”~ Carolyn Ahring

34 • Dragon Tales

Congratulations 2013 Retirees

Carolyn AhringNancy Arthurs

Carol AyersDebby BaimaBecky Barrett

Bonnie FenimoreSandra GodseyDoris Grotheer

Sandy Haile-OvermanMike HogardDave HudsonNancy HurtMelissa Rink

Beverly SnodgrassMike Wilbert

Pittsburg Community Schoolswww.usd250.org

510 Deill • Pittsburg, KS • 66762

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Dragon Tales - May 2013