Sami Grimes
Staff Writer

As the final tones of the bell resonated throughout the classrooms and hallways of Century Junior High last week, the majority of the student population celebrated the annual arrival of summer vacation. However, for eight of Centuryís teaching staff, it was a bittersweet farewell as they marked their retirement from the district after many years of service.

Sandie Swenson

Sandie Swenson taught within the school district for the past 32 years. Knowing by the age of 5 that she wanted to be an art teacher, her childhood aspirations have well been achieved. She plans on using her retirement to spend more time with her family, travel, and work on her own artwork.

ìI will miss the kids, their energy and their ëah ha!í moments when they complete their work and are surprised and proud of what they were able to accomplish,î she said.

Ed Zweber

Ed Zweber taught social studies in Forest Lake for the past 36 years. Echoing Swensonís statement, the element of teaching he will miss most is the students.

ìI will also miss my fellow teachers and the new staff that have joined us at Century. They bring a great wealth of knowledge, and a positive attitude, and I know I will leave the students in good hands.î

Something very few people know about Zweber is that he also served on the board of Masquers Theatre Company from 1976 until 1984. As such an involved individual in the lives of students and in the community for nearly four decades, one can only imagine how different retirement will be.

However, Zweber already knows how he wishes to spend his new-found free time - reading, gardening in his yard, and spending winters in Florida.

Paulette Perkovich

Paulette Perkovich, a physical education teacher, spent the past 34 years inspiring students to be healthy and active within and outside the gymnasium walls.

ìAs a whole, the classes of students Iíve had have been fun to work with. Century has a lot of nice kids!î she said. Definitely planning to get out of Minnesota for the winter, Perkovich will also be spending her retirement doing volunteer work and some substitute teaching.

Bill Loushine

Fellow physical education teacher Bill Loushine is also among the staff members retiring this year. Loushine spent the past 33 years in the Forest Lake area.

ìI will definitely miss the kids and the youthful enthusiasm they have...it does help keep us a ìlittleî younger than we may be,î he said. Many will recognize his name from his work within the Driverís Education program through Community Ed.

ìMy plans [for retirement] are to start a year-round Driverís Education program and behind the wheel. We canít service enough of the student population by running only a summer program, so Iíll try to expand it now that I have more time.î

Glen King

Not every teacher has a story quite like Centuryís Glen King. An immigrant from the Philippines, King came to the United States to pursue her graduate degree in science and mathematics. Already a teacher for four years in the Philippines, she added 32 more years of experience here in Forest Lake. Much like her colleagues, she will miss the kids. However, she had some things to say about what she will not be missing.

ìI will not miss the mandated policies that need to be met that donít have any bearing on improving the education of children.î

Other than that, she has a message that will serve educators of any age and experience.

ìAlways be fair and consistent with your students and always believe that no matter how many years you have been teaching, there is always room to do better,î she noted.

Kathy Johnson

Kathy Johnson, another Century retiree, has coached in this district since 1978. She began teaching in 1981. With 24 years of experience behind her, she plans on spending her retirement golfing, spending time with her family, and getting some well-deserved rest and relaxation at their cabin.

Karen Lewis

Karen Lewis, an English and French teacher, will be leaving Century as well. She has worked for the district for 17 years, and has also taught in Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, the state of Wyoming, and American Samoa.

With the relief that comes from no more standardized tests, Lewis will happily enter retirement with only the sadness from missing her students and fellow staff members. Her immediate future plans include a trip to the south of France in July. She will be leading a nine-day tour for ladies only, which she calls ìthe ultimate ladiesí night out!î

Her advice to new teachers is ìbe patient with yourselves and your students. Donít be discouraged. After parenting, what you are doing is the most important job there is!î

Loey Weber

Finally, there is Loey Weber. For 18 years, Weber has been a counselor and dean for the student population at Century. Most notably as winner of the Governorís Peace Prize in 1998 due to her success with the S.T.A.R. bracelet program (Students Together Against Racism), but also as an active and attentive ear to the students at Century, one can see she has many things to be proud of in her time with Forest Lake.

ìReplacing teachers like these is a difficult task,î said Century Principal Ben Lewis.

ìThey have been a vital force at Century over the past 30 years through their teaching and participation in activities and school leadership. Finding teachers of this quality will be difficult.î

Lewis, who has worked with Centuryís staff for the past six years, had many great things to say about his retiring colleagues.

ìThey have taught, encouraged, set high standards, thought creatively, been patient, reminded and shaped our students. I am proud of their work and dedication to teaching,î he mentioned.

Like the entire staff at Century, Lewis will miss certain things too.

ìWhat I think I will miss the most is that they know their jobs so well. They know the students, know the curriculum and are professional educators I can trust,î he said.

Lance Meier, who is a current teacher at Century, also praised the retirees.

ìThey have been mentors, coaches, confidants, cheerleaders, supporters, and friends to many thousands of students and have made many impacts on the lives of those students. They represent some of the hardest working, most devoted, and caring individuals I have ever worked with,î he complimented.

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Forest Lake Times
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