| Name: Harlan Koberstein | Profession: Teacher | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Relationship: Johann line | Country: United States of America | |||||||||||||||||||||
Koberstein Teachers in the Freeport School District 145, District
Board/Administrative Offices, 501 East South Street, Freeport, IL 61032
Harlan Koberstein: 4th grade teacher Blackhawk school in IL
Education Saturday, April 29, 2006 Freeport farewells Published: Friday, April 28, 2006 1:08 PM CDT Several teachers will leave District 145 By Tony Carton For The Journal-Standard Three Freeport District 145 schools will lose a century of teaching experience when three teachers retire this spring. Harlan Koberstein, 38 years, fourth grade, Blackhawk Elementary School Harlan Koberstein says that when he attended school he always liked his teachers, and thought teaching was a cool job. He attended a teacher's college near his home before transferring to Platteville where he finished his degree. He came to the Freeport school district right out of college and this spring, after 38 years of dedication, he will retire. “I began seeing ‘second generation' students several years ago,” Koberstein notes. “It was really funny the first couple of times. The parents told their children that I had been their teacher too, and I had to just say, wow.” He says it made him feel old, but he got used to it. Koberstein says he has seen many changes during his career. “I think society and education as a whole have changed,” he says. For example, he has had to change to keep up with the innovations brought to education by technology. “The basics like long division stay pretty much the same,” says Koberstein. “But we can't compete with TV cameras, and sometimes the kids almost expect to be entertained. Teaching has become more of a challenge.” Koberstein says that in spite of all the changes in education, technology and society, “Most kids want a good education, and parents want the best for their kids,” he explains. “There is a very small number that cause trouble for the schools, the police and the community.” After teaching for so many years, Koberstein says he will feel left out when school starts next fall. “My fellow retirees tell me you get over that,” he says. “I'm not sure what I'll do because for the first time in my life, I don't have to have something in place. I'm just going to go one day at a time and see what develops.” Jean Koberstein, 29 years, first grade, Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School Jean Koberstein says she began teaching because she always loved to read, and she enjoys the creativity that small children bring when they come to learn. “When you teach first grade, you have to be able to think on your feet,” she says. “The idea that you're not doing the same thing every day is just one of the things that makes teaching a wonderful career. You always have to be thinking and changing, and as the day goes on, you have to be able to change what you're doing to meet what the children are excited about and interested in. “Sometimes the teaching moment comes, and you have to stop and take advantage,” she adds. “It's a big part of our commitment to helping the children become life long learners.” Koberstein says she has seen tremendous changes in education. “Everything from computers in the classroom, to the arrangement of the desks, to using more hands-on materials is different,” she says. “We work to make sure we're teaching high order thinking skills. We're trying to have the children become problem solvers. ” She notes that even with all the changes, the kids still come to school excited and eager to learn. “We base what we do on best practices,” she says. “It's the best way to teach children and to help them learn.” Koberstein includes the anticipation of the new school year among the things she will miss most in retirement. She says she will also miss the staff and the parents that have been so supportive. “I can't say enough good about our PTO,” she says. “They are just wonderful.” She says she may do some substitute teaching. She and her husband Harlan plan to travel and find time to volunteer in the community. “We don't really have solid plans,” she says, smiling. “After all these years, we're just looking forward to a little freedom from schedules.” |
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