Goodbye, Farewell, Amen

Last week I announced that this would be my thirtieth, and last, year at Sacred Heart. I thanked my students, administrators, and staff for a rewarding career. Over 300 people liked my post and about a hundred people commented on it. Here is a sampling of what some of my former students said.

Sammy Samuels and Caroline Pitt said that they enjoyed seeing me during parking lot duty in the afternoon when they are picking up their daughters. It has been rewarding for me to have taught the daughters of the girls who I first had in class when I arrived at Sacred Heart. Shilpa Borkar wrote, “I had no idea that you were a newbie when we were there. You hid it well.” Ann Conely wrote, “30 years isn’t possible! I was in your first class and I feel like I am only thirty years old.” Among those students who I taught in my first years, and who replied to my post, were Edwina Randall, Brittany Brewer, Lori Weiss, Cari Weller, Laurie Dobbins, Amanda Dearing, Shannon Jeffus, Kennetta Diehlman, Ashley Horrall, and Christie Turner.

As the years flew by, and I felt like I had a tighter grip on how to teach, my bonds with my students became even stronger. Katie O’Daniel wrote, “you were a fabulous teacher. I remember how those Jeopardy games helped us to prepare for the tests. You always made history interesting and thought provoking. Thank you for your many years of service in education.” Lauren Evans wrote, “I have always looked up to you, dear sir. You are an Ironman, an amazing teacher, and a friend, in my book.” Ashley Fain wrote, “Congrats! You were one of my favorite teachers and helped to create my love of history. Thank you!” And Jade Mulgrew wrote, “thank you for making me enjoy something that I didn’t before.” Among those students who I taught in my middle years, and who replied to my post, were Jenna Crowdus, Emily Popham, Maddie Calzi, Stacy Snowden, Sarah Heck, Kaleighn Whipkey, Susan Reising, Angela Russo, Leslie Fischer, and Cody Kristen.

The following students had me in class during my final two years, which I think were my best years because, in addition to having the content down pat, I had developed my own unique teaching style. JonMarie Johnson wrote, “Congrats! You have impacted the lives of so many and I am thrilled that you had a successful teaching career.” Natalie Fichter wrote, “Sacred Heart was blessed to have you, along with every student you taught!” Among those students who I taught in my final years, and who replied to my post, were Ashley Young, Caraline Baker, Emily Arnold, and Alex Ann Heim.

Note: Ted Elsesser and Alvin Guenther were long time teachers at Sacred Heart and the following is a speech that I wanted to give but, regretfully, could not read it to the student body.

Before I begin may I have the following ladies join me up here on the stage? Mary Jane Herp, Jean Cassidy, Mary Anne Kollros. Are they not here today? I think that they are here, through the work of the Holy Spirit. You see all three of these ladies taught at SHA for over 30 years. Are they not here today? I think that they are; that they, and the many other teachers who have passed through these walls, are still here through the works of the Holy Spirit. The teachers of past years have influenced many of the teachers who are at Sacred Heart today, and so they are an influence upon you.
A good teacher is a true believer; one who battles it out every day, without thought of applause, reward, or gratitude. A good example of such a teacher is Alvin Guenther. Alvin died two and a half years ago and so you upper classmen are among the last at Sacred Heart to remember when he was still teaching here.

What made Alvin Guenther a true believer was his dedication to the cause. For example, he was literally on his hospital deathbed as he was putting the final touches on the Senior Prom. Mr. Guenther was in charge of that dance for many years and he kept all of the important papers for the prom in a small suitcase, and if you visited him in the hospital, you would see that suitcase propped up on his bed as he was reviewing the final details for the prom.
Alvin showed up every day to teach even though he was sick and was suffering. When I complimented him by say that he was my hero because he continued to teach even though he was obviously unwell, he would not accept the compliment. Alvin didn’t teach because he was looking for praise or gratitude. He taught because he thought that he was making a difference, that he was bringing young people to God. There is no more noble cause than that. My inner light is like that of a candle, Alvin’s inner light was like the sun and it never dimmed, even at the end of life.

Now he belongs to the ages. What I say about him today can never match the influence that Alvin has had on the faculty, and for that he will never be forgotten. He is still with us today, through the Holy Spirit. It is that same spirit who has worked through Mary Jane Herp, Jean Cassidy, Mary Anne Kollros and will work through the teachers who are about to leave us - Jacob McGill, Paula Roberson, Dan Van Meter and Anne Cunningham. But more than anyone I think that the Holy Spirit will work through Ted Elsesser because Mr. Elsesser has been at Sacred Heart for 39 years. Imagine, 39 years, battling it out, day after day, without any thought of reward or even gratitude. Mr. Elsesser once told me that he has taught over 6,000 students and that makes him, like T.R.s man in the arena, a warrior: fighting not with sword and shield, but armed only with his faith in God and his fight is against malaise, inertia, and ingratitude. I couple Alvin Guenther and Ted Elsesser together because the Holy Spirit is strong with them, and because they started at Sacred Heart at about the same time. And, just like Mr. Guenther was humble when I told him that he was my hero, Mr. Elsesser is humble when I mention his many years of service. He has demonstrated a passion in his teaching; to inspire, to make a difference, a true believer.

And so as Ted Elsesser completes his 39 years of service here at Sacred Heart, let us acknowledge him today and the Holy Spirit who works through him. For the honor of being a good teacher, Mr Elsesser is completing his career at Sacred Heart. Let us say of him, in the language of another time, “Good soldier, faithful friend, great heart, hail and farewell!” Let’s give Mr. Elsesser a round of applause.