By Sallie Bachar
Catholic Herald correspondent
Medford teacher retires after 40 years
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Elaine Southworth spent 33 of her 40 years as a teacher at Holy Rosary School in Medford. She retired from her post this spring. She is holding a wooden angel that was given to her by the Holy Rosary Home and School Association. (Photo by Sallie Bachar) |
MEDFORD -- After 40 years of teaching, 33 of which have been at Holy Rosary School, how do you say goodbye and let it all go?
It isn't easy for Elaine Southworth of Medford. "I cried when I finally made the decision," she said. "I love teaching and I love the kids but it takes a lot of energy for me to keep going."
Southworth, who never considered changing her profession, began her career in a rural school before coming to Holy Rosary School where she has taught for the past 33 years, most of which were in the fifth and sixth grade classrooms.
A lot of changes have taken place since that one-room school with desks with wooden runners. More subjects are part of the curriculum that were not taught years ago but she likes the changes, especially in the accelerated math and reading programs and the opportunities students are given to study music and art by teachers who are more specialized in those areas.
Discipline is also different, she noted, and much stricter mostly because of the breakdown in the family unit and our more permissive society. However, she is proud of the good homes and loving parents in the parish. "If the church is strong and we keep our private schools strong, we will be all right," she said.
Licensed by the State of Wisconsin, Elaine graduated with honors from the Taylor County Teachers College and the University of Wisconsin-Superior and has continued to build credits in education. In addition, she has furthered her religious studies through the Diocese of Superior's Ministry of Catechesis certification program.
She and her husband George, who is retired, live on a farm and have three grown children and a 1-year old grandson, Paul. Her daughter Mary Jo is a nurse, daughter Audrey works in computers and design, and son Patrick is a sergeant in the U.S. Army. "I always told my kids education is important. It has always helped us."
Besides teaching, Elaine and her husband are active members of Holy Rosary Parish. They have been involved in RCIA -- the church's adult initiation program, serving as coordinators for the last five years -- and participate in the marriage preparation and religious education programs. She is also a eucharistic minister, lector and a member of the choir.
In addition, she and her husband find time to volunteer in the local community and to help others in need farther away from home. They spent a few weeks aiding in the clean up of the flooded Red River Valley between Minnesota and the Dakotas last year and are thinking of volunteering in Appalachia some time in the future.
Commenting on her years at Holy Rosary, she said she is grateful for the wonderful core group of people who have supported her and worked with her.
Southworth believes Catholic schools are the "most important and the best place to plant the seeds of faith, hope and love in the depths of their youthful hearts."
She has spent her teaching career helping her students freely make the right choices in life and teaching them, especially by example, "to love Jesus with their whole being unconditionally."
"The children are the future," she added, "and I love them dearly."
Because teaching has been and always will be close to her heart, it is not surprising that Elaine's retirement plans include substitute teaching and individual tutoring. She is, however, looking forward to more free time to spend traveling with her husband and visiting with family and friends. "I made a decision a long time ago," she said, "to be happy in whatever God calls me to do and I believe every day is a golden day."
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2001