May 20, 2025
Local News

'Ms. Reba' retires from Berwyn Park District after long career teaching children

By JOE SINOPOLI
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Kara Pauley, outreach associate from the Berwyn Public Library (right) reads stories at the Berwyn Park District's summer camp at Freedom Park June 25. Reba Wachal (seated, left), superintendent of Early Childhood, drops in on the class. Wachal is retiring after 34 years of service to Berwyn park districts. (Bill Ackerman)

BERWYN – Reba Wachal, Berwyn Park District superintendent of Early Childhood, has held many titles during her long career in early childhood education. But the one that says it all comes from those now grown who remember her fondly as Ms. Reba.

Wachal, who retired June 30 after 34 years of teaching preschool at the park district, celebrated the occasion with a meet and greet June 29 at the Liberty Center.

Wachal began her career with the North Berwyn Park District in 1981 as a teacher’s aide, assisting throughout the day and preparing countless projects at home in the evenings, said her daughter, Amy Giacalone.

“I can remember her cutting out pumpkins, stockings and bunnies, each and every year,” Giacalone said. “She has always said that she loves to play with children and as my brother, Buddy, and I got older, she was still able to fulfill her love by working within the preschool program. “

Wachal later began attending night school at Morton College and later Triton College to get her Early Childhood Education certificate.

“We had one car back then so my dad, my brother and I would all drive her over to Morton or Triton and she would usually have a three-hour class, so we made it a family game night by playing miniature golf with my dad.”

Wachal served 17 years at the North Berwyn Park District as a teacher. In 1995, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The children, she said, proved to be an important part in the recovery.

“I just looked to the kids,” Wachal said. “They got me through it. All the different treatments, downs and ups with being diagnosed. Their laughter and their innocence, they get you through everything.”

Wachal went to the Berwyn Park District in 1998, working her way up from a teacher to Early Childhood superintendent. No longer in the classroom, Wachal has been overseeing the classes held at Freedom Park, Proksa Park and the Liberty Center where the preschools are located.

Berwyn Park District Executive Director Jeff Janda said Wachal definitely will be missed.

“She has educated and prepared probably thousands of children in Berwyn throughout her career,” Janda said. “Those are huge shoes to be filled. We’re going to miss her, but now it’s time for her to have her recess.”

Wachal said the hardest part of retirement is leaving the children behind.

“I always told everyone I never had to get up and go to work because I was blessed. It was my passion and I enjoyed it every day,” Wachal said.

Now she said she plans to spend time with her granddaughters, Zoey and Olivia.

“I think my mom is the best mom around,” Giacalone said. “I think she has not only been a mother to me, but to many children in Berwyn. I have shared my mom with a lot of other Berwyn kids.

“She’s very special. She’s one of a kind.”