“The days seem long, but the years go fast…” West loses centuries of wisdom, experience as retirement beckons

After a long and grueling school year, many students are excited to welcome in the warm relief of summer break. While teachers too are no doubt ready for reprieve, certain staff members throughout the building are faced with an altogether more trepidatious and yet equally thrilling prospect--retirement. This year, West will bid farewell to 10 staff members from various departments and roles as they leave their full-time working lives behind them. 

Leaving the science department this year is long time teacher Heather Potratz. She notes that she almost chose a different line of work. 

“At first I thought I was going to go into a different career, then I started working with students in my undergraduate and I really enjoyed that, so I decided to get into teaching, and I have totally enjoyed all 36 and a half years of my profession,” she said. 

Throughout her tenure, she has been heavily involved in the school environment.

“I’ve coached the dance team,” she said. “I’ve coached swimming, and I ran the prom here for almost 25 years.” 

Adaptation to the ever changing school atmosphere has been an essential part of her teaching philosophy.

“Coming out of college, you learn how to teach one way, but every year you have to keep adjusting, because students change and the way they learn changes and the way I can reach them changes,” she said. “It’s been more important for me to change with them.”

For Potratz, having grown so accustomed to the school environment, the idea of retirement is equally as positive as it is nerve wracking.

“I’m nervous, because this is pretty much all I’ve known since I’ve gotten out of college,” she said. “I’m wondering what’s going to happen in August, if I’ll wish I was still back at West.”

All and all, Potratz is grateful for such a satisfying career filled with great pupils.

“I will miss the students more than anything you could ever imagine. They have been the joy of my entire career,” she said. 

Rob Kerl will be moving from the counselors’ office on to bigger things. He feels that retirement seems like the logical next step.

“It’s time. I'm old enough and am eager to start a new chapter in my life,” he said.

Kerl is excited to get away from the go-go-go life that he has lived for so long.

“I don’t stop being a counselor when 7th hour ends; it’s an all-consuming job and can lead to some pretty serious burnout,” he said.  “Balancing the job and my personal life has always been a challenge, and one I am looking forward to not having to do anymore.”

Post retirement, Kerl is ready to go with the flow without the structure of a job.

“I have some ideas, but I think I’m going to take the first six months to a year just to see what inspires me.  In the meantime I'll fish a lot,” he said. 

With all that he has gained over the course of his time at West, he offers some words of advice to incoming students and teachers alike.

“Do what’s right, not what’s easy. Stand up for yourself and those that can’t,” he said. “Show grace and understanding to those around you, you never know what kind of trauma someone has experienced or is currently involved in. Speak truth to power. Never give up, ever.  Fight the good fight.”

Also departing is Kim Willman from the testing center. She is looking forward to the extra free time which retirement will bring.

“I have one grandchild and another on the way,” she said. “I’d like to spend more time in my garden and hopefully do some travelling.” 

One of Willman’s traditions from the testing center are some words of wisdom which she wishes to share with the student population.

“That’s what I tell all the students in here, as they leave I always say, do your homework, charge your Chromebook and make good choices,” she said. 

Across the building, Kenneth Levine will be taking his leave from the math department. After winning the distinguished alumni this year, he looks back at how his childhood shaped him into the person he became.

“When I was in high school I was a very good student, but I liked sports, I liked helping my idiot buddies,” he said. “It just seemed like teaching and coaching was a natural fit.”

Since he has fit so well within the position, dropping the “Mr.” and returning to Ken is an intimidating prospect for Levine.

“I’m kind of scared, I don’t have any major plans. This has been my life and now I have to find a real life,” he said. 

Levine confesses that retirement is bittersweet because it’s not exactly his prerogative. 

“I am not really choosing to retire, my body is,” he said. “I have to get a shoulder replaced, knees replaced soon, and my wife wants to do cool stuff, so, I’m going to retire now so I can do a couple of those things before the surgeries set in.”

Over the course of such a long and storied career, Levine has made many long-lasting memories, but he admits that sometimes the most joyous moments are more mundane to others.

“Once a week there’s something memorable with goofy kids that don’t even know it,” he said, “I could write a book there’s so many funny things that have happened.”

Having had many positions all over the school, Jean Framke, currently the eAcademy Coach, will be leaving this year. Unfortunately, due to issues out of her control, Framke’s exodus is not under optimal circumstances.

“My job was eliminated due to the budget cuts,” she said. “I really didn't want to retire right now as I still love what I do but my options were limited. I am thankful that retirement is an option for me as it is not for many others.”

This variety of positions has given her a newfound viewpoint on the swath of factors which may affect a student’s experience.

“Working in a school setting has helped me open my eyes; not all people are blessed with what I have. I've learned that there are always two sides to a story.  I’ve come to appreciate the importance of perspective, realizing that fair judgment requires understanding every angle of a situation,” she said. 

Framke will treasure her experiences working one on one with students through challenging times.

“Part of being an online learning coach is helping students through their journey. If a student was stuck I would always try to help them, so I would go through the lessons of the class so I could give the student some advice,” she said,  “I have completely broadened my skill set in Forensic Science.” 

Right now, Framke is looking forward to retirement as a change of pace and an opportunity to explore new paths.

"I plan to take a gap year from education,” she said. “I don't plan to sub or go to another school district.  My husband and I would like to travel and not be held to a school calendar.”

Media Assistant Ricki Miller will be leaving the media department this year. She enjoyed her time specializing in the library, but explained that her career started out as almost the opposite of that.

“I started out as a medical technologist and worked in a hospital for 18 years. I also worked at Loyola University in Chicago” she said, “I realized I wanted to teach. I decided to go back to school and get my teaching certification, because I have a biology degree with a minor in chem.”

Miller shared that what she appreciates the most about the media center’s environment is the students and how they benefit from it.

“We’ve created a very welcoming atmosphere, and I hope that doesn’t disappear,” she said. “When kids need to come and decompress, they come in here: open hours, junior senior privilege, they can come in and just relax and study. We have some kids that sleep.”

Throughout her time here, she feels that she’s made deeply meaningful connections with students especially.

“There’s a lot of kids that will come in and talk to me about things that might not be school-related. It’s nice because they feel comfortable with me to come and just talk if they have problems” she said.

While time may be scarce, and stress is high, Miller advises everyone to make the most of the opportunities they’re given.

“If you’re a new teacher just starting a career, find support in your group, find somebody that can help you and that you can go and talk to about things that aren’t related to school” she said. “For students, especially if they’re younger, relax a bit. Just make friends you’re comfortable with, so nobody pressures you, and make sure you can also find an adult or teacher that you can talk with if something goes wrong.”

Leaving the main office area, Administrative Assistant Shelly Smith’s career started out elsewhere, but she feels that her position at West couldn’t have been better.

“I started in August of 1990. I have an associate degree from Moraine  Park in data processing. So when this position became available, I was looking for something that would be a little better hours than when I was working as an office manager,” she said. “This fit as it was more of a data entry clerk when I started. I loved it. When it came up that it was in a school, I thought that was very exciting to be able to help staff and students.

Her experience at West is defined by this same sense of belonging, acceptance, and support.

“I think some of the memories that I have are like some of the hardest times in my life. The people here have been my family and really helped me get through,” she said, “I think there’s a ton of good memories, but having the support of the people around you when you’re going through difficult times is really important.”

Smith considers her job to be essential beyond just helping school, extending to her role as a mother as well.

“Honestly, I feel like it made me a better mom. My girls were young at the time I started, my oldest was a year and a half, now she’s 37. But when they were younger, like toddlers, I think it made me a better parent because I saw more of what kids really need,” she said. “You want to be your kid’s best friend, but kids need rules, boundaries, and love and support. But they also need structure.”

Smith’s retirement plans contain milestone celebration and volunteering.

“I’m getting married in July. I will probably come back and do some clerical subbing and be in the building here and there. I want to do some travel,” she said. “I'll probably do some volunteering too. I love the Paine and so I might try and get involved in volunteering there or something, but probably volunteering more at my church and helping with things there.

When it comes to advice for incoming staff and students, Smith also emphasizes the importance of comfort in community.

“Lean on the people around you and take the advice of the people who have been around because they do have your best interest at heart, and I think that all of our staff are willing to help each other,” she said. “I think everyone has a lot of pressure nowadays. Really try and enjoy it and find good friends and make good choices because that will impact you for the rest of your life.”

Next door, Attendance Assistant Marcia Gonzalez is also taking a step away from her role in the Student Services Office. Her career began some time after caring for family.

“I did not work for a long time. I was at home raising my kids, and I wanted to go back and do something and feel connected to the community,” she said. “I had volunteered for my kids, all those years in the schools. So I felt like it was something I was familiar with and something that I could help with.”

She also feels deeply connected with the community at West.

“My favorite part of working here is the staff, I’ve met some great people. I think it’s helped me understand a wide range of people and kids, and kind of just be more compassionate about what people are going through.”

Gonzalez looks forward to a retirement filled with traveling to Europe and spending time with her kids.

“I have a son going to law school and one going to college. I can help them do whatever they need to do, but mostly travel. We’re going to be going to the Netherlands this summer, and we’re going to Ireland next year,” she said.

Activities Coordinator Brad Jodarski is departing from West after a commitment of over two decades. He believes that West will always be a significant part of his life.

“My kids have spent a lot of time here, when they were little I would bring them to the events; my wife has helped out here, after 26 years the school just becomes a part of who you are,” he said, “There’s been a ton of great people that I’ve worked with.”

Although he thoroughly enjoyed his time here, Jodarski feels that it’s necessary for new leadership to take over, but he will continue to be involved in different ways.

“It’s going to be kind of surreal when it’s over, but it’s definitely time for someone else to take the reins. I’ve been fortunate to get to know a lot of good people and watch a lot of really talented kids, whether that be athletics, music, or the arts,” he said. “I’ll probably sub in the district. I plan to officiate a little and possibly run for school board.”

Jodarski shared his appreciation for everything the district has provided.

“I just want to thank the district for giving me an opportunity. I want to thank the staff, coaches, and advisors that I’ve had the chance to work with,” he said. “I just hope I was able to leave the place a little bit better during my time.”

He advises students to take advantage of what high school may bring, and allow themselves to look beyond the mundane tasks.

“Get involved, your high school experience is what you make it. We get caught in the day to day stuff but there is so much that happens before and after school,” he said. “I think that a big part of it is the things you do besides just the academics. It makes the school feel smaller and more connected when [you] meet students in other grades and get involved in an activity, club, or sport.”

Clay and ceramics teacher Jason Ryf plans to leave West after 20 years of dedication. He simply feels that with all the changes around him, it’s time for new teachers to step in. 

“I think it’s just time to retire, things are changing, I’m changing, kids are changing, education is changing, it’s just different. I’m letting the young ones come and take over.” 

Ryf loves seeing his students tap into their creative sides and truly care about the work they make in his class. 

“Overall I enjoy when the students make projects that they’re really proud of, care about, and put a lot of effort into,” he said. “So not just me making them make something, it’s when they really care about it and put effort into it matters.”

Ryf encourages incoming staff and students to take in every little moment.  

“People should enjoy it because day to day may seem long but in the end it goes pretty quick,” he said. “Take the time, get to know your colleagues and students, try to get involved as much as you can and enjoy it while you can.”  

Also leaving the art world is drawing and painting teacher Linda Geffers. She feels it’s time to get out and do all the things she’s worked so hard for her entire life. 

“I just feel like you get older and stuck in your ways, so I think the timing is right,” she said. “I've also always been a firm believer in retiring as young as you can so that you can live life. You've worked hard and now you should go and enjoy it.” 

Geffers has always loved the ease of working with her colleagues at West; however, she feels the students are really what make the job valuable. 

“I have felt like we've had a strong group of people in my department and that we work well together,” she said. “People ask why I got into education and it was because I loved art, the only reason I ever stayed was because I love my relationships with my students.” 

Geffers encourages incoming staff to remember that students do appreciate all that teachers do. Though teaching is a difficult job, the feeling of helping and impacting the students makes it worth it. 

“It’s a hard job but it’s worth it, students appreciate you more than you know,” she said. “They don't usually share it until after they're gone because you don't usually get a daily reminder of how you're helping them. Keep fighting for the right reason and know you are making an impact.” 

by Isaac Considine-Buelow, Samreen Chahal, and Tenna Ruetten

Published May 26, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue VIII