Climax-Scotts 2nd grade elementary school teacher Diane Wieferich, pictured with student Zoey Bradley, retired June 6 after 32 years teaching at the C-S Elementary School and 34 years overall.
(Photo provided by Diane Wieferich)
By Bruce Rolfe
A Climax-Scotts Elementary School teacher, who retired June 6, didn’t initially have aspirations of becoming a teacher, but after teaching 32 years at the local elementary school and 34 years overall, Diane Wieferich is glad she chose the career path she did.
Wieferich, a second grade teacher at the C-S Elementary School, said she enjoyed babysitting and working with children earlier in life, however she didn’t attend Western Michigan University to become a teacher.
Originally from Troy, Wieferich said her father had very high standards for her and her brother. So she decided to go into accounting.
She had a friend that was in the education program at WMU and enjoyed hearing about her classes.
Wieferich decided she wanted to pursue a career in education and called her father. However that initial phone call didn’t go well.
“I called my dad and told him I wanted to be a teacher. He hung up on me. Two days later he called me back and told me he changed his mind about the education field,” recalled Wieferich.
After graduating from WMU she discovered there were very few teaching jobs available.
She started working as a substitute teacher in the Plainwell School District. After a year, she was hired as a teaching assistant at the Montessori School, where she worked for one year.
She was then hired by the Climax-Scotts School District as a halftime Kindergarten teacher in the fall of 1992.
She embraced the opportunity and the school district.
While other opportunities for higher paying teaching jobs may have been available over the years, the veteran C-S teacher said she was very comfortable teaching in the C-S School District.
“There’s a collaborative spirit among teachers, staff, and parents, all working together to support our students,” said Wieferich.
She adds a supportive leadership team also played a crucial role in her decision to remain at C-S.
“Knowing my efforts were valued made a big difference in staying so long,” Wieferich said.
Wieferich has made a positive impact on the lives of many students. She said the most rewarding part of her job is when a student finally grasps a difficult concept or is excited about learning something new.
She admits the teaching profession has changed significantly over the years.
“When I first started, there wasn’t a curriculum to follow. Teaching phonics was a thing of the past and everyone was into whole language and using multisensory strategies. Also, there weren’t any computers in the schools back then so everything had to be typed or written by hand,” remembered Wieferich.
The veteran C-S Elementary School teacher adds there’s an emphasis now on social and emotional learning (SEL).
Wieferich also feels the makeup of the student has changed as well, with students facing many other distractions.
“I believe kids today need to put down their devices, step outside, and engage more with nature and each other. Play strengthens social skills that screen time often cannot,” observed the longtime C-S elementary school teacher.
Wieferich said there will be a lot to miss after she retires, however the daily interaction with her students is what she feels she will miss the most.
“Their energy always kept the classroom lively and engaging. I’m also going to miss the staff. The bonds we formed and the memories we created will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Wieferich.
She said her overall experience at C-S has been very enjoyable and she’s glad she made the decision to spend the bulk of her teaching career at the local elementary school.
“I’m thankful to the school board and administration, and want to acknowledge Teri Peters (C-S Elementary School Principal) for her guidance. She supported and encouraged me over the years, to strive for excellence, and I am extremely grateful,” said Wieferich.
Wieferich said retirement plans include enjoying time at her residence on St. Mary’s Lake in Battle Creek where she, her husband Jeff, and the couple’s daughter Nicole moved to two years ago. She also looks forward to gardening, boating, and spending time with her family. Her son Justin lives and works in Indiana.
According to the C-S Superintendent’s office, other C-S School District employees retiring in 2025 include Lark Murphy, high school social studies teacher (37 years), Janet Sutherland, custodian (10 years), and Scott Simmons, maintenance director (10 years), will be retiring in September, 2025.
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