Teacher retiring after 37 years with little ones

When Mary Ann Velz retired in June from teaching third grade at St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam, she took with her 37 years of memories.

Ms. Velz, who is also a parishioner of St. Mary's, taught in Denver for a few years before returning to the Albany Diocese to be closer to family.

"I [was] thinking in terms of only being in Amsterdam for a few years," she said, "but time just has gone right along."

Children first

Over her long career at St. Mary's Institute, Ms. Velz has seen the school change locations twice. Regardless of where she taught, her favorite part of the job was always "the children," she said.

She has worked with kids since she was 15, when she served as a swimming instructor and camp counselor.

"Every year is different," she said of the hundreds of students she has encountered. "You have a different group of children with different interests and abilities, but they all have that certain something that all young children have that appeals to me: the enthusiasm to learn, to find out new things. They're very honest and forthright at the third-grade age, and that's a nice thing."

Catholic school

Ms. Velz said that she "really did enjoy" her career at a Catholic school, where "you have that latitude to associate God with the subject matter. In all the subject matter that one teaches, in one way or another, the essence of God enters into it."

Throughout her life, faith has been a mainstay and a comfort for Ms. Velz.

"Often, when you get in a bind," she explained, "it's nice to just fall back on your faith and know that the Holy Spirit is there for you, that you can stop in the chapel or look out your window at the beautiful view down the valley and soothe whatever's bothering you that day. It's very, very important in my life."

Reading first

Ms. Velz believes one of the subjects she taught is the most fundamental: A child who does well in reading will be able to tackle other subjects more easily.

"Whatever you're reading will broaden your experiences," she said.

Over the years, she has watched many of her third-graders grow up, graduate and start their families. They often tell her how her teaching affected them or how the lessons they learned carried through into their lives as adults.

"It makes one feel appreciated," she said. "It makes one feel that you have had some influence in the direction in people's lives in a positive way. I enjoy imparting information hoping I can inspire children."

(Mary Ann Velz doesn't have any concrete plans for retirement, aside from going on one of her favorite trips: sailing on a tall-ship cruise in Maine.)

(6/29/06) [[In-content Ad]]