Ferndale- During her 33-year teaching career in Brandon Schools, Sharon Kaiser saw times, kids, and parents change.
She also formed a few opinions, such as, the MEAP has done more harm than good; schools of choice has decimated districts; and politicians have stuck their noses too far into education.
And while teaching kids, Kaiser, 56, learned a few things herself. She learned that kids need and appreciate discipline and structure. She learned that she had more maternal instincts than she thought she ever would.
‘Teaching has been my world all these years,? says Kaiser, who retired Aug. 8. ‘I just knew it was the most important job I could ever have. I made a difference and in some way affected a child’s life, hopefully for the better.?
Kaiser got a bachelor’s degree in education from Wayne State University in ?71 and later got a master’s degree from Oakland University. After graduation, teaching jobs were in short supply. She was a secretary for a year before coming to teach at Brandon Schools, starting as a fourth-grade teacher at Belle Ann Elementary in ?72. She eventually would teach at every building in the district besides the new middle school and new high schools. Through the years she was Miss Lee, Mrs. Wahlers and finally, Mrs. Kaiser. Since 1990, she has taught fifth grade. For the 12 years prior, she taught sixth grade, her favorite grade, although she says sixth-graders today aren’t like what they were then. Now, they are more like seventh and eighth graders.
‘Times and kids have changed,? Kaiser says. ‘There’s a real loss of innocence and a loss of respect for authority in kids today. They’re not focused on school, they’re focused on fun times. They want everything to be fun.?
Kaiser believes school is not as much fun as it used to be for both students and teachers because politicians have become involved in education. These politicians, she says, have no idea what is relevant for children to know at certain age levels, unlike teachers who know what the kids are capable of.
Kaiser also takes issue with MEAP testing. While she thinks that at one time it was beneficial, helping schools to see where students needed help, she says that today it is not being used as it was intended. Instead, it pits district against district.
‘It has created so much pressure on staffs,? Kaiser said. ‘Kids are not getting a well-rounded education because of standardized testing and pressure to do well on tests.?
But the one thing students have always given Kaiser is hope– letting her forget any personal problems because she became so involved with them. To Kaiser, each classroom became a family. Every year she would have a new family, one she lived with 24 hours a day the entire school year.
‘People think when the day is done that’s it for teachers, but you take them home with you– you’re still thinking about them. They’re not forgotten at the end of the school day.?
At the end of the school day, Kaiser would review what was said and done. Over more than 30 years, she never dreaded going to work, it was a natural part of her day.
Some of her favorite memories include seeing children who didn’t enjoy school come to love it. Her favorite subject to teach was grammar. Although she is a traditionalist who believes in the basics, she also loved teaching a unit on Greek mythology and the kids loved it, too.
Donald Patrick, Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School principal, worked with Kaiser for many years.
‘She was one of my most organized teachers on staff,? he recalled. ‘She applied the rule fairly to every child consistently… She loved her classroom and her kids and she was a great advocate for children… She was a wonderful staff person. We’ll miss her being here each day with us.?
Now that she has retired, Kaiser says she is going to try being a housewife for four seasons. She will miss her routine, her colleagues, the kids and what she calls the ‘absorption.?
‘When you walk into the classroom you forget about everything but the kids,? she says. ‘They absorb your soul. I will not have another job that’s as important as this was… I was blessed with a job I enjoyed all these years. Not many people can say that.?