Five teachers retire from Hiawatha/Howe schools

By KELLEY MCMURCHI and TANI LANGREE

This spring, Hiawatha/Howe schools are losing five teachers to retirement. The five veteran teachers have over 150 years of experience between them.

Banlang Phommasouvanh worked for seven years at Hiawatha/Howe as an English as a Second Language teacher. She’s been teaching in Minneapolis for 29 years. One of the things which makes Phommasouvanh unique is she also has years of experience teaching in France and Laos, as well as in Iowa and Indiana. Phommasouvanh remembers coming to America and experiencing culture shock getting lunch in the cafeteria: when offered a hotdog, her reactions was, “I don’t eat dog meat!!”

Photo right: (L to R) Penny Paulson, Banlang Phommasouvanh are retiring from Hiawatha School. (Photo submitted)

Becky Schultz has been at Hiawatha/Howe for 32 of her 37 years of teaching; most of that time she’s been teaching third grade. She has even taught the children of former students! Becky has always enjoyed a hands‐on teaching relationship with her students, including playing tag with them at recess. One time she was scrambling up a slide to keep from being tagged “it,” when she slipped and broke her wrist. The principal wanted her to stay at school and be a real­‐life example at a safety assembly of “Why We Don’t Go UP the Slide!” Schultz declined and went instead to the emergency room.

Many of our students will miss Penny Paulson when she leaves. Penny has been teaching Physical Education and Developmental Adapted Physical Education at Hiawatha for 16 of her 25 years as a teacher. She loves her work helping students develop physical strength, agility, and skill. Each day has brought smiles, giggles, and hugs from her students.

Photo left: (L to R) Becky Schultz, Janis Pettit, Sandy Davis are retiring from Howe School. (Photo submitted)

Sandy Davis has been a teacher for over 23 years, the last seven at Hiawatha/Howe. While there she taught English as a Second Language as well as working as a Title One teacher helping students with reading and math. Her patience, kindness, and positive attitude will be missed!

Besides a long career in publishing, television production, and advertising, Janis Pettit has been a teacher for 20+ years. She’s been at Hiawatha/Howe as a Special Education Resource Teacher for the last six years. Many struggling students have blossomed under the loving tutelage of Janis.

When talking about what they want to do post­‐retirement, the five women expressed some similar goals. They want to spend time with grandchildren, to travel in the USA as well as to more exotic locales, and gardens figure big in some of their plans. Most of all, they plan on slowing down and enjoying life—in all ways!

Asked for words of advice Paulson said, “Remember, one kind word can change someone’s entire day.” Davis’ advice mirrors Paulson: “Show kindness in all that you do.” Phommasouvanh and Pettit feel that in teaching you touch lives and make a difference. Schultz sums it up by saying, “Enjoy every minute of every day because time flies so fast.”

Time has flown fast for these five women and now they’re off to find and experience new adventures.