Special Minooka kindergarten teacher retires

A beloved teacher from Minooka Grade School District 201 is turning in her grade book, packing up her pencil bag and leaving her kindergartners, much to the disappointment of many District 201 parents and their children.

Lisa Jacobson has taught kindergarten for District 201 for 12 years. She started at Minooka Elementary School, moved to Aux Sable Elementary when it opened and then Jones Elementary when it opened six years ago.

Fellow kindergarten teacher Karen Dernulc has worked alongside Jacobson the whole time; they moved from school to school together. Dernulc said she just couldn’t let Jacobson go without sharing what a wonderful teacher and co-worker she’s been all these years.

Jacobson’s student just adored her, Dernulc said. When there’s a project to be done, Jacobson always puts in 110 percent. She doesn’t just make a bulletin board – it’s a 3D bulletin board.

“She’s up until 12:30 in the morning doing it and she just loves it,” Dernulc said.

Avery Selk, who was in Jacobson’s class this year, shared memories of her teacher.

Jacobson took her students outside to release a hatching of butterflies. When she opened the top, they each flew out, except for one.

“Mrs. Jacobson tickled the butterfly’s little feet, but it had trouble flying up,” Avery said. “So the whole class and Mrs. Jacobson flapped their arms to show the butterfly how to fly and he flew, and flew and flew.”

“We [her students] pick up a smelly marker that [Jacobson] doesn’t like the smell of and then we tell her to close her eyes and then we take off the cap and tell her it’s a marker that smells good. When she goes to smell the marker, we tell her to open her eyes, and we bump her on the nose with the marker.”

Jacobson sounds like one of those special educators parents hope their children will get and one whose students benefit greatly from having a teacher to bring out their best in that important first year of elementary school.

“She is very respected by her parents and her co-workers. She always has a smile on her face and always takes charge to complete any task, function, reading night, orientations, parents meeting, etc., Dernulc said.

“[She] is truly loved by her students. Her enthusiasm, love and care is evident every day in her classroom. On the last day of school she, as well as her students, cry because they do not want to leave her.”

Jacobson is leaving District 201 and Jones Elementary to spend more time with her family, Dernulc said.

“She’ll probably be mad at me for doing this [telling everyone], but I felt like I had to do something for her. She’s worked so hard,” Dernulc said. “I am going to miss her.”

• Kris Stadalsky writes about people and issues in areas southwest of Joliet. Reach her at writestuff56@comcast.net.