After 28 years of teaching at Clarkston High School Walt Wyniemko, of Oxford, will say goodbye to teaching on Jan. 22 and begin his retirement.
His first step towards retirement took place when he chose not to coach football last season. Wyniemko coached football for 40 years when he stepped down from the position.
‘It was a chance to step back,? he said. ‘A chance to feel what the real world would be like.?
After thirteen years of teaching, he landed a teaching gig at Clarkston High School and as coach of varsity football team in 1979-80 school year. Later he would also coach track. He has fond memories of working with his players on and off of the field. ‘Everyone wants to be in the big game,? he said.
As ‘Coach,? Wyniemko believed in teaching players fundamentals for the Friday night games and fundamentals to progress into good fathers and members of the community.
As his last day gets closer, he reminisces about what he will miss.
‘Clarkston is a special community,? he said. ‘It’s the day by day activities that I’ll miss.?
He began teaching because of his love for kids. For Wyniemko, it has been fun. He enjoyed the challenge of teaching and helping people out. ‘Education is a valuable tool.?
Though the world changed and technology has grown since he started, what remained, he said, was getting students to know their strengths and weaknesses before going into the world. As a history and social studies teacher, he enjoyed opening students eyes to past and current events — as the past effects their present and future.
During retirement, he plans to spend time with his family. Also, he looks forward to relaxing, playing golf, and traveling.
And, the warm, sun and beaches of Florida are beckoning. Wyniemko and his wife Lenore plan to vacation for a week or two and help them determine if retiring there is in their futures.
In May, traveling to Florida’s opposite is on the agenda. A group of friends and family will experience wild oceans, majestic glaciers, moose and grizzly — all that is Alaksa has to offer. He has never heard anyone say negative things about visiting Alaska, so he looks forward to going.
While not admitting to wanderlust or jetsetting ways, traveling is something Wyniemko & Wife are looking forward to.
‘Once we go someplace, we will see as much as we can and expand from there.?
And, while not traveling, golfing or relaxing, Wyniemko is keeping his daily plananer open — he’s up for anything that comes his way. Of course, family will play a large factor in decisions.
‘I am fortunate to have 11 grandchildren,? he said. The grandkids range from 2-years-old to 12 and live in Clarkston, Oxford, and Milford.
While they’ll see more of gramps in the future, they haven’t been isolated from him in the past — he would take them to practice where they would help as water boys at both junior and varsity football games.
For his coaching he was inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame in 1986, the Michigan High School Hall of Fame in 1996, and the Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1999.
Instead of waiting until the end of the school year to retire, he chose to retire at the end of this semester.
‘No matter what time of the year, it was always going to be hard to leave,? Wyniemko said.
Retirement gives him a chance to do the things he hasn’t had a chance, while teaching. ‘It’s better to leave now.?