Retiring teachers honored

The school year at Whitefish High School is coming to a close. Seniors will graduate soon, but some teachers are looking forward to graduations of their own.

Whitefish High is waving a fond farewell to several staff members this year who will be trading in their classrooms for retirement: Penny Glee, Charles Holbrook, Mark Shafer and Gene Gemignani.

Glee has taught at Whitefish High for 27 years. A graduate of Montana State University, Glee taught physical education, health, family consumer science, clothing construction, child development, family living, interpersonal relations, culinary arts and Jobs for Montana Graduates, to name a few. She also coached girls track, assisted with the first girls basketball team at Whitefish High, and started the first drill team.

"I love the subjects I have the opportunity to teach and the fact that my classes are electives," Glee said. "Students most often take those classes because they have an interest in them. I love the interaction with students and like to be there to encourage them to strive for their best and to think of their education as a privilege and an opportunity to reach for their dreams."

Glee also noted the influence the rigor Whitefish High placed on her teaching.

"Whitefish has always been known for its high academic standards. Coming here as a new teacher gave me the opportunity to learn from colleagues who were masters at what they did," Glee recalled. "It set me on a pathway of high expectations of my students."

Glee's years of instruction have provided her with many positive memories as well.

"Memorable moments have occurred almost weekly if not daily as students come to me and either need a listening ear or a word of encouragement," she said. "I will truly miss the students and my colleagues. They are the reason I have loved coming to work every day."

As far as plans for her retired years, Glee hopes to travel, volunteer, participate in mission trips, and play her flute.

Holbrook has an 11-year history at Whitefish High. He taught students in Algebra 1 and advised the student council. He said he became a teacher because he "thought he had something to offer students both academically and personally".

"Teaching at Whitefish has reaffirmed my faith in the abilities of young people today, and that given the opportunity, students will rise to the occasion and be successful," he said. "I most enjoy the daily interaction with students that teaching brings."

Recalling favorite memories from his years at Whitefish High, Holbrook said he'll remember most the Veterans Day celebrations and annual talent shows.

"By being part of the Veterans Day program, I have come to have a deep appreciation for our veterans and the sacrifices they and their families have made for our country," he said. "The talent show has been a great reminder of how talented our students are in both the academic arena and the performance setting."

Holbrook hopes to "catch up on numerous home fix-up chores, hunt, fish, hike and travel," starting this summer.

Shafer also has a lengthy history in Whitefish. He taught fifth grade for 28 years at Whitefish Middle School, and nine years at the high school in Title 1. Shafer became a teacher after student teaching under Terry Nelson at Muldown Elementary School.

"My mother made me become a teacher," Shafer joked. "In a serious light, I enjoy teaching because being around students keeps a person young. It also has taught me patience."

Shafer said he'll most remember the bus accident at Whitefish High and will miss "certainly not the meetings, but everything else" about teaching in Whitefish.

"I hope to golf more in my retirement, as well as work on a mathematical formula to predict the probability of which 20 numbers will be randomly chosen from a set of 80 numbers," he said.

Gemignani will retire from Whitefish High this year after 10 years as a paraprofessional. Gemignani assists students with their subjects in tutorial study hall.

"I retired from 25 years with the State of Montana Department of Corrections as a parole officer and administrator, began subbing and was offered this position," Gemignani said. "I have enjoyed teaching because I have the chance to work with the kids and learn patience."

Gemignani said he'll most miss 'seeing the kids and his colleagues every day" and hopes to "golf, motorcycle, read, sleep in and fish" when he's retired.

On behalf of the student body of Whitefish High, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mrs. Glee, Mr. Holbrook, Mr. Gemignani and Mr. Shafer for their dedication to Whitefish students. Your presence will be sorely missed, and I wish you the best in the years to come.