Shell Knob School will be saying goodbye to Ms. Luana Varner and Mr. Mike Riepl. Together, they have a combined total of 55 years of experience! Shell Knob has reaped the benefits of many years of their knowledge and commitment to our students. We wish them much happiness in retirement and they will be terribly missed. Recently, they answered some questions and walked down memory lane!
Mr. Riepl- Reading Intervention, Track Coach. This is Mr. Riepl’s 34th year in education. Why did you choose teaching? I enjoy helping people to better themselves. In what other schools have you taught?
I worked at Tierra Del Sol Middle School in Lakeside California and I taught one year at Blue Eye Middle School. I started teaching at Shell Knob School in 1993.
What is a favorite memory of your career?
1. One day Dusty Zogleman was absent. None of his buddies wanted to tell me why he wasn’t at school. At about 10:00, his mother Paula knocked on my door to explain that Dusty had been turkey hunting and he really wanted to show the class his bird. I said sure why not. In walks Dusty with a big ol’ grin on his face holding a nice sized tom turkey by its legs.
2. At the history fair Andy Stewart asked me if he could fire his 2 inch civil war cannon. I said sure, not realizing it would sound like an actual cannon in the gym!
3. One day in October, fire prevention month, I set up a smoke machine on the stage with the curtains closed so the students could practice crawling through a house full of smoke. After a while, someone from the office came to inform me that I was smoking out the entire school.
What advice would you give to first year teacher- Mike? Find a way to make education FUN! What are your retirement plans? I look forward to attending more car shows and racing my SALEEN Mustang. While working as a full time firefighter for Southern Stone County Fire Protection District
Ms. Varner- MS Comm Arts, Drama Sponsor, Yearbook Sponsor, Library-Media Specialist. This is Ms. Varners 21st year in education.
Why did you choose teaching?
I chose teaching because I was the child who fell through the cracks. I was in all the special reading and math groups. No one thought I was smart enough to go very far in life. However, several teachers gave me a chance and saw a spark in me. I wanted to be like those teachers and show children that they can learn, are smart, and are talented.
In what other schools have you taught? I have taught at the Spokane School District What is a favorite memory of your career? Wow! That's a hard question. There are so many moments that I cherish. The moments when the students' faces light up when they get it. Or the giggles when something silly happens. However, I think the favorite memory was during a play performance, an actor had his mustache fall off and then get stuck to his foot as he tried to move it off stage. I think my favorite part of being a teacher is all the kids and people who touched my life as we walked through the learning process.
What advice would you give first-year teacher Luana? I would tell a first-year teacher that teaching is all about relationships and connections. You must connect with your other teachers, and you must connect with your students. Furthermore, you're doing a great job even when you don't feel like it. What are your retirement plans? I plan on spending time just being a gramma and finding new and exciting adventures to explore.
Anything else you would like to share? I think the biggest thing I have learned over the years is to relax and enjoy the journey and find your tribe. The Shell Knob teachers and students are my tribe