Customer Service Place an Ad Become a Carrier Contact Us About Us Mobile Edition E-Mail Updates Report Cancellation
| Subscribe Now Customer Service Place an Ad Become a Carrier Contact Us About Us Mobile Edition E-Mail Updates Report Cancellation
|
 |
 |
|
Weather  Calendar Obituaries Classifieds Jobs Autos Homes Rentals Coupons Ad Center |
Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
|
Home News Sports
Free Time Life Money Nation/World Opinion Blogs/Columns Archives Site Map |
| NewsMonday, November 26, 2007 5:03 PM CST |
 Comments (23) |  E-mail this page |  Print this page |  Enlarge type |  Reduce type |  Search archives |  RSS feeds |  Add to My Yahoo! |
Unforgettable Mrs. McNulty: Teacher hits 50-year mark
But longtime Epiphany educator still on cutting edge
NORMAL -- Fifty years ago, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the world’s first satellite; Elvis Presley bought a mansion in Memphis and named it Graceland; and Bloomington District 87 and Illinois State University both celebrated their 100th birthdays. That same year, Carol McNulty started her teaching career at the now-closed Lincoln Elementary School in Bloomington. This year, she celebrates half a century in the profession and 30 years at Normal’s Epiphany Elementary School, where she teaches kindergarten. She is among only 27 teachers in Illinois who are still teaching after 50 years, said Illinois State Board of Education spokeswoman Andrea Preston. Retirement isn’t included in McNulty’s lesson plans. As long as her health remains good, she plans to teach another couple of years until her youngest grandchild starts school. “When I start acting senile, let me know,” the 71-year-old McNulty joked. Still learning She’s been in school -- either as a student or as a teacher-- every year for 66 years, beginning as a 5-year-old in a one-room schoolhouse. During her career she’s taught early elementary school children at public and Catholic schools, as well as children’s literature at ISU. She remains on the cutting edge of new things. Last year, for example, she piloted “Superkids,” a wide-ranging writing, reading and speaking program. This year, the program includes both kindergarten and first- graders at the school. “She’s still willing to learn new things and to try new things,” said Principal Richard Morehouse, whose children were taught by McNulty. Her teaching assistant, Gail Nolan, started kindergarten 50 years ago at Lincoln Elementary, the same year that McNulty started teaching. They have worked together for 17 years at Epiphany, and McNulty taught Nolan’s children. “She’s really both a grandma and a teacher for the kids,” Nolan said of McNulty. Nolan teaches kindergarten religion because McNulty is not Catholic. A member of Wesley United Methodist Church for 50 years, McNulty said her religion never has been a problem at the Catholic school. Nuns were teaching when she started at Epiphany. McNulty’s three sons were ages 5, 8, and 10, and she sometimes had her hands full with them. The nuns joked she could run away and hide in the convent, McNulty recalled with a smile. Now her sons work at State Farm Insurance Cos. and say fellow employees often ask if they know Mrs. McNulty, the teacher. Second-generation students It’s common for her to teach the children of former students. This year, at least three of her kindergarteners are children of former students. Her students have become teachers, doctors, university volleyball coaches and vice presidents of established businesses. “You won’t find anybody who had her as a teacher and won’t remember her,” said John Carter, executive vice president of Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry in Bloomington. Carter said he can’t name all of his teachers, but the 33-year-old remembers McNulty taught him in second grade. For Epiphany secretary Paula Weiland, McNulty is part of an extended family. “She’s an excellent teacher, fun and good with the kids, and well-liked by the staff,” Weiland said. McNulty reciprocates the good feelings. She said the staff has always been very supportive, especially during her husband’s illness and death. Her classroom is decorated brightly with the artwork of children and some of her own contributions. The extensive classroom library is about 90 percent of her own books. Other learning tools in her classroom came from a second job at the Gingerbread House toy store in Bloomington, where’s she’s worked for at least 20 years. She started when her sons were teens and needed braces. McNulty’s knowledge of child development is valuable for parents and grandparents seeking the right toy for the right age, said store owner Tami Jarecki. “She has a fabulous personality to deal with parents and children,” Jarecki said. Notes on the blackboard“She’s going strong and comes to work with a lot of energy. She’s an amazing individual who inspires both staff and students.” Richard Morehouse Epiphany School principal, on 50-year teacher Carol McNulty “She’s one of those people who warms up a place. She is a comfortable, warm person to work with.” Tami Jarecki owner of The Gingerbread House, where Carol McNutty works Saturdays and during the summer “We are truly best friends. We bounce ideas off each other.” Gail Nolan teaching assistant to Carol McNulty “A sweet little mentor who helped shape an 8-year-old.” John Carter executive vice president of Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry, who had McNulty as a second-grade teacher E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
|
||||||||
|
 |
|
Top of Page | Home | News | Sports | Free Time | Life | Money | Nation/World | Opinion | Blogs/Columns | Archives | Site Map | RSS
Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
|
