Milwaukee City Wire

Teacher Appreciation Week, observed annually in May, serves as a reminder of the enduring impact teachers have on their students. While the national average length of service for a teacher at one school is eight years, Byron Kilbourn Elementary School in Milwaukee's northwest side presents a different picture. Eleven teachers at this K3-5 school boast over 300 years of combined teaching experience, most of which has been accrued at Kilbourn.

Among these seasoned educators are Sharon Redel and Sherise Randolph, K3 Head Start teachers with a combined 64 years of experience, 50 of which were spent at Kilbourn. Their expertise extends beyond teaching pre-literacy skills and number recognition to understanding the community they serve. “Each other,” says Redel when asked who they can rely on after decades of teaching. “Ms. Randolph and I plan together during students’ rest time.” Randolph adds that their collective focus is on the children they teach every day.

The commitment to education and community is echoed by other veteran teachers at Kilbourn. Fourth-grade teacher Stephanie Baade, with 33 years' experience, notes their dedication to serving not just students but multiple generations of families in the neighborhood.

Jason Galien, who grew up in a nearby public housing project and won a third-grade reading challenge as a Kilbourn student in the 1970s, now serves as Principal Galien. He expresses his comfort in being surrounded by educators who understand both children's dynamics and the craft of teaching.

Rozlind Davis has served for 32 years at Kilbourn as the parent coordinator. She emphasizes the welcoming nature of the school community: "Everybody is important at Kilbourn: students, staff, families."

As Christine LaMarre prepares to retire after more than 30 years at Kilbourn, she reflects on her fond memories of creating classroom routines and sharing her love for reading with her students. Alida Harris, the "new" veteran teacher with 20 years in MPS and one year at Kilbourn, recently experienced the practical application of science in her classroom when a planting project required a shift from beans to sunflower seeds.

Principal Galien appreciates the teachers' dedication to both tried-and-true teaching practices and their openness to new methods. Anthony McDaniels, a fifth-grade teacher with five years at Kilbourn and 24 in MPS, is currently learning Project Lead The Way (PLTW) STEM curriculum as the school prepares to open a pilot PLTW lab in fall 2024.

Sherita Kostuck, after 34 years at Kilbourn, still relies more on pencil and paper than technology in her K5 classroom. She believes that successful strategies don't wear out and that relationship-building is an essential part of teaching.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, school support teacher Tiffany Dupree-Cain summarized what teachers ultimately want: “to be valued, appreciated, heard, and supported!”