By Sara Strong
Russell and Jan Schneider's teaching careers brought them together, and after 30 years each, they are stepping down from their teaching posts ... together.
The two met when Jan started teaching business and physical education at Magnolia, when Russell was teaching grade school in Luverne.
Jan's job was transferred in 1994 when the Magnolia school combined with Luverne, and they've worked under the same roof ever since.
When Russell became eligible for retirement this year, Jan decided to join him in leaving the district to allow time for other ventures together.
Of her 30-year-teaching career, Jan has spent about 10 of that in middle school computer classrooms. She enjoys the technology and keeping up with changes.
"The computer class was my favorite," she said. "I started out with health, business and phy. ed., but the computers were my favorite in the end."
Russell has taught in Luverne for 31 1/2 years and most of that has been in front of a third-grade class.
"It's a very big transition year for kids," he said. Third graders start to learn more complicated math and begin cursive writing.
Russell said teaching has changed through the years, with more testing and specific guidelines than before, but he said it's also stayed the same.
"Things go in cycles and old ideas become new again," he said.
One of the most rewarding experiences in teaching for the Schneiders was watching the learning process.
Russell said, "Now we have the accelerated reading program. Just to see kids who transition from needing guided reading to independent reading is nice to see. The ones who never read can pick up a book and donÕt put it down."
Russell continued his bachelor's degree from Dakota State University, Madison, S.D., to get a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Minnesota, Mankato.
Jan also had to keep up with her studies to be effective as a computer teacher.
She said teaching computer-savvy middle school students meant she had to update her knowledge with technological advancements. She also holds a bachelor's degree from DSU.
Both say Luverne is where they want to stay, even though a job isn't keeping them here.
"It's a good town, great school and just a nice place to raise a family," Russell said. "It's been a positive place to be."
Besides knowing students and watching them grow and learn, the Schneiders will most miss the interaction with co-workers who are also friends.
"You really get to know them," Jan said.
With their schedules now free of teaching, the two look forward to time with their children, Stacey, a teacher in Sioux City, Iowa, and Bill, who attends South Dakota State University, Brookings.
Headrick won't miss Sunday night homework
By Lori Ehde
So far, it's just another summer, as far as Luverne High School teacher Roger Headrick is concerned.
He retired from teaching high school writing and literature in June, but since then, he said he doesn't necessarily feel retired.
"I'm not thinking about it, really. It's still just summer," he said. "The really fun year for me was last year, because I knew I had only one year left. I was certainly aware of it all the time, because I wasn't thinking about next year and planning ahead."
Headrick was a seasoned educator by the time he came to Luverne in 1981. He'd spent 12 years in Brainerd and one year prior to that in Benson.
While he enjoyed his years in northern Minnesota, he said there were definite advantages to coming to Luverne.
For one thing, it's closer to extended family in Flandreau, S.D., and for another, it's warmer here.
He recalls visiting family one winter in Flandreau, where it was minus 15 degrees.
"It was 30 below in Brainerd as opposed to 15 below, and we noticed it," Headrick said.
He said another big difference between Brainerd and Luverne is the size of the school districts.
"There are 300 to 500 kids per grade in Brainerd, and the kids would graduate with classmates they really don't know," he said. "Here, by the time you graduate, you know your whole class."
He said he also appreciated teaching in a town Luverne's size. "In a small community you play a part in raising the children," he said.
"I feel very pleased about the teachers who have helped to raise my children. I know that's part of their success."
After more than 30 years of experience, Headrick said his work was always challenging.
"Even though the day-to-day teaching was routine, I don't think I ever saw it as something I'd mastered. I always worked at it."
His efforts paid off in the form of student accomplishments.
"Teaching writing can be a lot of fun, because you discover what students write," he said.
"But the paper load was heavy. I wonÕt miss Sunday nights and thinking about all those papers to correct. I think I'll look forward to Sunday nights now."
Headrick will feel officially retired in September when his colleagues, including his wife, Diane (fourth-grade teacher), return to the classroom, and heÕll be changing his grandson's diapers.
He's meeting their son, Carter, and his wife, Kelly, in Washington, D.C. While there, he will be "grandpa-nanny" for his 4-month-old grandson while Carter and Kelly are in conferences for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
He said he also hopes retirement will allow more travel time to see their other son, Peter, in San Francisco, where heÕs starting a trade show company.
