It’s been sum career: Retiring math teacher says all the years she's spent with students adds up to one great time

STERLING – At 59, Mary Kathleen (McGinn) Garcia – or Kate, as she prefers to be called – is proof to her students that age is in fact, just a number.

A lifelong teacher, Garcia started her career when she was 21 at St. Andrew’s Catholic school in Rock Falls, where she stayed for 17 years before teaching at Washington Elementary School in Sterling, where she’s been for the past 21 years, and from where she’ll retire this year.

Garcia said she used to do backflips and splits for her students in her younger years, but these days, she tends to keep her feet planted on the ground a little more – but she still finds ways to keep students on their toes in her special education math class.

“I used to make deals with the students that if they all reached a certain grade on a test, I would go out onto the playground to do backflips and splits for them,” she said.

These days Garcia has toned down the gymnastics a bit.

“I like to still find ways to inspire them with little rewards. My students are surprised that I can still do the splits and cartwheels at my age,” she said.

It’s those little things that can make a big difference she said, even simple things such as taking walks during lunch, that keep students interested, and excited, about learning.

“I try to stay active as much as possible,” she said. “On my walks during lunch, I’ll have kids who want to go on walks with me. It’s a great way to get to know them.”

During her tenure at Washington, Garcia has had the opportunity to inspire students as a third- and fourth-grade teacher, and in her recent role as the special education math teacher for the past 5 years.

“Math is my passion. The neat thing about math is that you can show them why you can and can’t do things,” Garcia said.

That said, things didn’t always add up like they do now for Garcia. She wasn’t always a math whiz, but she said that helps her relate to students who may be struggling.

“Seeing the kids succeed is one of the greatest things as a teacher. The best moments are when they finally grasp what they weren’t understanding,” she said.

As her time at Washington winds down, Garcia is looking forward to the future, and spending more time with her family – husband Mike, 54, son Josh Garcia, 29, daughter Mikaela Haberer, 29, and her 19-month-old grandson, Everett Haberer.

It’s no surprise that she’s also looking forward to eventually returning to the classroom, at least part-time.

“It will be nice to step away from the stressful side of teaching, like filing paperwork and making lesson plans, but I hope I can still help out as an aide. I’ve just got too much energy to fully retire now,” Garcia said.

When she does fully retire, she and Mike plan to hop into a trailer and take a road trip around the country.

Although Garcia may be stepping away from the classroom, her time as a teacher has left an indelible mark on her life. Tattooed on her arm is an apple and “inspire,” to remind her of the importance of that word – not only how she inspired her students, but how they inspired her.

“I just know that I’m going to cry. Natalia and Mar’i are two girls I’ve had the last 3 years in my math class moving up,” she said. “I’m going to miss them, and everyone.”

RETIRING TEACHERS

Amboy School District

Beth Becker – 19 years; Amboy High; home economics and horticulture

Kathy Mekeel – 19 years; Amboy High; band; chorus

Allen Duerksen; 17 years; Amboy Middle School; chorus and social studies

AFC

Denise Coffman; 35 years; grades 1-12; band and chorus

Rick Petitt; 33 years; grades 11 & 12; agriculture

Bureau Valley

Dale Donner – 33 years; Bureau Valley South Junior High; physical education and math

Mary Stander – 25 years; Bureau Valley South Junior High; math

Terry Robinson – 28 years; Bureau Valley South Junior High; special education

Deborah Pease – 26 years; Wyanet Elementary

Chadwick-Milledgeville School District

John Nesemeier – 29 years; Milledgeville; drivers ed and physical education

Terry Kelly – 12 years; Milledgeville; health and physical education

Jody Engelkens – 36 years; Milledgeville; third grade

Christ Lutheran

None

Dixon School District

Jane Kosick – 25 years; Washington Elementary

Judy Fane – 23 years; Washington Elementary; kindergarten

Eastland

Jane Hines – 19 years; grades 7-12; math

Erie

Matt Newton – 24 years; Middle School; math

Rick Temple – 29 years; Middle School; science

Faith Christian

None

Morrison

Lori Kennedy – 13 years; grades 3-5; reading

Newman Central Catholic High School

Kathy Say – 29 years; math

Jerry Williamson –17 years; religion

Oregon

Elizabeth Hall – 32 years; Oregon Elementary; second Grade

Floya Hawkins – 33 years; Oregon Elementary; special education

Ronda Himert –22 years; Oregon Elementary; reading

James Spratt – 25 years; David L. Rahn Junior High School; physical education

John Young – 21 years; Oregon High School; English

Polo

None

Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico

Cindy Taylor – 35 years; Tampico Elementary; kindergarten

Teri Schlindwein – 24 years; Tampico Elementaryl third grade

Riverbend

Carol Wilkens – 22 years; preschool

Ann Engeman – 24 years; grades 6-8; language arts

Rock Falls Elementary

Candy Parsons – 20 years; Riverdale Preschool Center; special education

Rock Falls High School

None

St. Anne – Dixon

None

St. Mary – Dixon

Sue Pietryga – 25 years; kindergarten

St. Mary’s – Sterling

Maureen Gainey – 29 years; second grade

St. Andrew – Rock Falls

None

Sterling

Maria Duffin – 34 years; Washington Elementary: fourth grade

Kathleen Garcia – 21 years; Washington Elementary; special education

Rita Kelly – 25 years; Sterling High School; alternative education

Ermelinda Lewis – 21 years; Challand Middle School; special education

Jeff Neubauer – 24 years; Sterling High School; math

Diane VandenBorre – 17 years; Challand middle School/ Sterling High School; speech, language pathologist

West Carroll

Deb Manninem – 36 years; grades 6-8: physical education and health

Paula Watson – 26 years; Title 1 reading

Patricia Laughlin – 25 years; Title 1 reading

Gina Wilkinson – 13 years; grades 6-12; literature and English

Judy Mathers – 10 years; fourth grade