Deb Dencklau (school/court liaison), Maurene Spellmeyer (cook), Marla Hill (special education), Dave Morgan (high school industrial technology), Joe Chamberlin (elementary teacher/PE), and Scott Jeske (RBMS principal) have all retired from their positions within the Eagle Grove Area School District. They leave behind big shoes to fill with 188 total years of service.
“Did you ever in your wildest dream imagine your last year of teaching/working at the school would be affected by a global pandemic?” Terry Meyer asked the six of them as she welcomed them to a celebration held in their honor on Wednesday, May 26.
Everyone agreed the answer was an obvious “No,” but somehow, together, they and the students made it through.
Joe Chamberlin
Elementary Teacher Ryan Pedersen gave a shout-out to Joe Chamberlin’s 43 years teaching in the district.
“You know everyone,” he said as Chamberlin laughed and shook his head in agreement. “It’s hard to find a more Eagle Grove person than you.”
Pedersen told his retiring colleague that he remembers Chamberlin reading to him when he was in elementary school. As an adult, he kidded Chamberlin how he would always remember him clicking his pen during staff meetings and training days.
All kidding aside, though, Pedersen told him, “You’ve been a friend to me both in and out of school…you’ve meant so much to all of us.”
Marla Hill
Elementary Teacher Jeanne Herrington had the honor of talking about her time working with Marla Hill.
“You are one of the most dedicated people I know,” said Herrington.
She went on to say that Hill was known for her patience and calm voice no matter what the situation.
In her 42 years with the school district, Hill said that one of her most favorite memories was when Principal Gibson jumped out of a glider plane onto the football field after the elementary students met their reading goals during a Read A Million Minutes challenge.
As Herrington talked about her long-time friend and colleague, she teared up saying, “You have given our school everything.”
Maureen Spellmeyer
Maureen has been a part of the high school nutrition team for 29 years, making sure the kids always have something hot and healthy to eat.
Eagle Grove High School Principal Heidi Vasquezjoked with Spellmeyer that she had really accomplished the impossible, because she got her to eat school food.
“In 16 years in education, I’ve never eaten government food at school, but now I do in Eagle Grove because of Maureen,” Vasquez said. She did say that it took Spellmeyer several tries at convincing her, but when Vasquez finally gave in, she was amazed at the magic Spellmeyer could create.
“The high school is definitely going to miss you,” said Vasquez.
No student ever went hungry if Spellmeyer could help it.
Deb Dencklau
Being the juvenile court/school liaison is no easy task, but Dencklau managed to handle the job for the past eight years.
“You never failed to take on a kid,” said Vasquez.
The principal went on to describe Dencklau as bold, kind, and compassionate with the kids.
“I wish I had more time to learn from you,” added Vasquez. “We will miss you like crazy…and have your number on speed dial.”
Dencklau is ready to spend more time with family once she is retired, but stated, “When you work at the school, you also become part of this family, and I will miss you.”
Dave Morgan
High School Teacher Lisa Tapper spoke about Dave Morgan and his 32 years as a high school Industrial Arts teacher.
“He’s a hometown boy…he’s an EGHS wrestling champ, a wrestling coach, and a teacher,” said Tapper. She added that he’s also been a big help to her personally over the years at school. “He and his students have fixed so many things in my classroom that I don’t have time to list them all.”
Tapper had a very interesting story to share about the first time the two of them met. Tapper went to the back of the school and saw a loading dock. It was all normal…until she saw “Gene Simmons” of KISS come out onto that dock. There was Morgan, one of KISS’s biggest fans, all decked out to look just like a real member of the band…he even acted a bit like them, accidentally catching his KISS-like wig on fire.
“Dave likes KISS, coaching, teaching, and industrial arts. He hates professional development meetings and learning new technology,” Tapper teased in closing.
Two former students also sent a note to be read about Morgan at the retirement party. Mitch and Kurt McGonegle wrote, “Mr. Morgan taught us there is no substitute for hard work.”
Watch for full stories on each of the retiring teachers and their careers in next week’s “Eagle.”
