By Sallie Bachar
Catholic Herald correspondent
Merrill teacher retires after thirty years in the classroom
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After 25 years in parochial schools, Phyllis Presl, a fourth grade teacher at Sr. Francis Xavier School in Merrill is retiring. In retirement she plans to volunteer at the Bell Tower Residence for the elderly in Merrill. (Photo by Sallie Bachar) |
MERRILL -- Phyllis Presl will retire in June after 30 years of teaching, 25 of which were spent in the parochial school system. "I really believe in Catholic education," said Presl, fourth grade teacher at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Merrill.
She was born in Butternut, Wis., the second oldest of four children, and received her teaching degree for seventh through twelfth grades from the UW-Superior. She spent the first five years in the Tigerton public school district and then taught for the next ten years at St. Anne's and Holy Name parishes in Wausau. After obtaining a second degree in elementary education, Presl joined the staff at St. Francis Xavier where she has been teaching fourth grade for the last fifteen years.
"I feel it is a vocation to teach in the Catholic schools, a calling from God," Presl said. Holding to the belief that Christ lives in all of us, she is particularly conscious of his presence in her students. "Christ is among us and especially in this school," she added. "I have a special place in my heart for St. Francis. The parents have been so cooperative and supportive through the years."
Presl has seen many changes during her long career, the greatest of which is the breakdown of the family unit. More children come from broken homes today, she said, but the children themselves have not changed that much. "They respond to the discipline you use," she said. "The respect you give them, they give back to you."
Presl will be missed by her fellow teachers and staff. She is very dedicated to her profession, her students and her faith. She spends long hours over and above classroom time, often arriving several hours before school begins and not leaving until early in the evening. "It is a privilege for me to teach," she said, "and to be happy all these years doing that."
She and her husband Ron are both members of St. Francis Parish and will celebrate thirty years of marriage in June. Ron, who is a former teacher himself, is now a custodian for St. Francis church and school.
Presl plans to remain active with volunteer work at Bell Tower, a facility for the elderly in Merrill, and is looking forward to spending more time with her father and mother-in-law, both of whom are alone and live out of town. Her retirement plans also include lots of gardening and reading "and maybe some traveling after Ron retires," she added.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002