MANSFIELD, Ohio – For Sheryl Weber, teaching isn’t a job – it’s life. That’s why she predicts saying “goodbye” in June will be tough.
Her career has taken many twists and turns through the years, and she met many students along the way. Some of them hold a special place in her heart.
“I call them my ‘specials,’” said Weber of the students she has grown to love over the years.
She began her career 31 years ago when she was hired as a substitute teacher in 1985. Before that, she had been working for her father for a number of years. She said her husband encouraged her to become certified to teach.
“He was right. After that first day as a sub, I knew I belonged there,” she said.
Her career as an educator continued as she moved on to Malabar, when it and Sherman consolidated in 1989. She taught there until 1996. During that time, she decided to get her master’s degree in administration – thus beginning her journey as an administrator. For the next ten years she administered three schools within the district: Malabar Middle, Stadium Elementary, and Newman Elementary.
Serving as an administrator was Weber’s most disappointing time during her career. She said not being able to do what she thought was right was frustrating.
“Having been on both sides, I know how hard it is for an administrator,” Weber said.
The position she said she had most fun in was Mansfield Senior High School social studies teacher, which is the position she still holds today.
After graduating from Marietta College in 1974 with a history degree, Weber knew she had at least three options for a career: research as a historian, museum work, or teach.
“I’ve had the most fun at the high school. I’ve really enjoyed being there. It’s a great way to end my career,” she said.
The most memorable moment from her experience at Mansfield City Schools?
“I would say last year’s National Honor Society Induction,” she said. The students she taught in a cooperative cohort for the last three years honored Weber as a teacher. “That just meant so much to me. It was unexpected,” she said.
Weber explained that six years ago she and another history teacher, Darlene William, decided to teach honors classes for both ninth and tenth grades. The two teachers decided to “loop” the students through the program every three years.
“Wonderful idea. So that was when the class of 2014 came in, I had that group of honors kids,” she said. Those students were the ones who spoke at the induction ceremony.
Weber has developed a stout rapport with her students. The impact she has had on them is telling, but the students have left impressions on her, too. Weber keeps many of the notes students have left behind over the years, and she keeps their pictures to remember them. She even remembers some of their birthdays.
Weber’s long and sweet career ends on July 1. She said what she’ll miss the most are the children. But she said she’ll be back to visit them occasionally. She keeps in touch with a number of ex-students already.
“They’re my specials; I’ll never forget them. I can’t,” she said.
