Published: May 16, 2008 11:33 pm      

Waltonville teacher Gajewski retiring after 36 years

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

WALTONVILLE — After 36 years of teaching at Waltonville Grade School, eighth-grade teacher Susan Gajewski is saying goodbye. And though she hopes to return to the school now and then to substitute, making the decision to retire was very hard for her.

“I’ll miss the kids most of all and the people I work with,” Gajewski said Friday while working on graduation decorations for her students. “I’ve always either been in school or worked.”

Gajewski began her tenure at the grade school as teacher for a split first- and second-grade classroom. For several years after that, she taught sixth grade before moving on as a fifth-grade teacher, eventually ending up as an eighth-grade homeroom teacher.

“It’s rather unbelievable at this point to think I won’t be coming here every day,” she remarked. “I’ve really enjoyed being the eighth-grade sponsor and working with the kids to make their graduation ceremony special and memorable.”

Waltonville Superinten-dent Craig Kujawa said filling Gajewski’s shoes will be difficult. “Her name is synonymous with teaching language arts here. It’s amazing the people in the community who have said ‘I’ve had her [as a teacher].’ With 30-plus years, she’s affected the children and the community in a positive way.”

“She’s going to be sadly missed,” said Principal Shlonda Horton. “She does everything with the eighth-graders ... Those are hard shoes to fill.”

But Gajewski said during her time at the grade school, she’s learned a few surprising details about herself. “I have learned that I may be changing a student’s life even though I’m not aware of it at the time. It makes me so proud and appreciative that I could make a difference in a child’s life. I’ve always enjoyed working at Waltonville and the small school environment. Now I’m teaching children of former students.”

Upon retirement, Gajewski plans to do some remodeling and gardening around her home. She also plans to learn how to quilt. “I love to read and I’ll probably come back and sub. I’ve even threatened to write a book.”