Thursday, May 17, marked the end of the 2022-23 school year at Callaway Public School. It was also the conclusion of 30 years of teaching in the district for three CPS teachers.

Jarod Rush, Wendy Dockweiler and Bob Keeney have each taught Callaway students for 30 years - and for Bob, this was his last. He is joining another long-time CPS teacher, Suzanne Wendorff, in retirement.

The Courier caught up with the teachers, and happily pay tribute to their commitment and dedication to the students of Callaway Public School for the past three decades by sharing their personal stories. This week we feature Wendy Dockweiler, and will continue our profiles next week.

Wendy grew up in Lexington “as a Minutemaid of the 80s”. “I grew up babysitting and worked at a daycare during high school,” she reminisced. “I was a teacher's aide and enjoyed the experience....especially the kids. I have the passion to inspire young children, to instill values. Offering lots of love and grace mixed with the opportunity to make a difference. Kids are dear to my heart. I desire to be a positive role model. I want to model perseverance and grit to establish a growth mindset. Dream BIG!”

After graduating from Concordia University in Seward, Wendy’s first teaching job was at Wymore Southern, before coming to Callaway. Though she is not a classroom teacher, she has had a huge impact on the entire student body of the school as opposed to just one grade level. Since beginning her career at CPS Wendy has either been an elementary resource teacher or Title 1 instructional coach, mixed with several coaching assignments in volleyball, basketball and track.

She has been involved in education a total of 33 years, 30 of those at Callaway. “I have an internal driving force to love, value and make a difference in the lives

cont. PAGE 5 - TEACHERS of children. When their eyes light up after grasping a new piece of knowledge, it simply warms my heart,” said Wendy. “Observing young minds wrestle with BIG ideas as they set goals, achieve and learn how to offer the best version of themselves - I want to help plant the vision of leaving the world a better place.”

Wendy said that the legacy she tries to leave the children she encounters at school is so important to her, that she spends some sleepless nights trying to undo, redo or upgrade lessons to meet kids where they are at. “Problem solving on the go makes the day fly by. No two days are ever exactly the same; challenges, celebrations and scenarios change daily.”

Wendy understands that the role of school staff goes far beyond the classroom, or the years a student spends in school. Society and education are connected. “As a support teacher, family engagement and relationships is a primary focus to help kids develop a love for learning,” she explained. “The pendulum has certainly been swinging since I began teaching in 1990. Social media, technology and social emotional health makes the teaching profession seem more complex. Technology and teaching methods along with the resources change daily. The challenge is to intentionally provide a kind learning environment that helps to encourage academic development as well as social connection and teamwork.”

While her relationships with the students and their families is Wendy’s primary focus, she also serves an important role with the rest of the staff. Just as she once looked to experienced teachers for guidance, her years in the profession have now allowed her to fulfill somewhat of a mentorship role for other young teachers.

“Teaching is a profession where you have the opportunity to be creative/innovative, nourish the love of learning along with the hope to change one student at a time to be a productive member of society,” said Wendy, when asked what advice she would give others considering a career in the classroom. “Make your energy contagious. Be passionate and BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.”

CPS welcomed three new elementary teachers, during the 2022-23 school year, and Wendy said she believes the staff offered each other a balance of experience and guidance sprinkled with fresh new approaches in education. “I value the opportunity to work with K-6 grade teachers, collaborating and co-teaching provides solid instruction with increased student engagement. Teamwork makes the dreamwork,” she shared. “Go BIG or go home--Making a difference while soaking in the smiles and giggles, sharing fist bumps and high fives along with the relationships keeps me willing to stay late to 'go back to the drawing board'/problem solving, to sign up for continue education classes ,then arrive early the next morning to welcome the kids back to school. School IS family.”

For Wendy, working at Callaway Public School is so much more than just a job.

“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you to watch over it willingly, not grudgingly not for what you will get out of it but because you are eager to serve God.” - 1 Peter 5:2 “I truly feel that I have been called to serve His children as a teacher.”