Page 21 - FIS World

Adventures Await
Five retiring faculty members prepare for life beyond FIS
As the end of another school year approaches, there is a growing excitement for summer’s promise of carefree days and all of the adventures they o er. But for ve FIS faculty members, the end of this school year means the start of a new adventure altogether: retirement.
young people at FIS for 37 years allowed me never to feel old myself.”
While excitement about their futures grow, retirement’s schedule-free life will likely require a bit of adjustment. “Since I spent more than half of my life at FIS, I guess I’ll have to overcome the pain of separation,” said Mr. Muscheid.
Our retirees need not worry, though. Their roles as part of our FIS family are good for a lifetime, and we hope that their new adventures include frequent visits back to the place where they’ve been making a di erence for decades. In the meantime, we extend or sincerest gratitude for their dedication to FIS – and wish all of them well.
Ryan Karr
FIS Webmaster
When asked what
they will miss most,
I am taking my 90-year-old mother on trip to see all of her children. They all live in
the southwestern United States, so we will certainly log many miles in my Volkswagen Beetle convertible. -Joanna Callahan, Gr 5 Teacher, seven years
I’m going to read all the unread books, which sit on my shelves. I’ll be able to choose sunny days for running and hiking, and I’ll be on my motorcycle more often. It has been sitting there, patiently waiting for its owner to have more time for spontaneous rides.
Willi Muscheid, Upper School German Teacher, 37 years
I am looking forward to being able to spend more time in Nepal, engaging in social projects, plus exploring and painting.
Bill Owen, Upper School Art Teacher, 20 years
all remarked on the
relationships with
colleagues and the
rewards of teaching.
In just a few short weeks, FIS will bid a fond farewell to retiring faculty members whose expertise spans a wide range of grade levels and subjects – and whose service at FIS totals more than 120 years.
“When I came to FIS there was a total of 70 faculty members and about 850 students, no separate Primary School, and no FISW,” said retiring German teacher Willi Muscheid. “Report cards were written by hand,” he added.
Nearly 40 years later, much has changed. All four of FIS and FISW’s divisions are thriving, and the overall number number of faculty and students has nearly tripled. But what hasn’t changed is one of the things that has made retirees’ careers at FIS so rewarding: the people.
When asked what they will miss most, all remarked on the relationships with colleagues and the rewards of teaching. “I will miss the company of congenial colleagues,” said retiring German teacher Anne Boediger, who has worked at FIS since 1989. Art teacher Bill Owen said, “I will miss the joy of teaching a subject I love to children who are eager to learn.” Perhaps as a fringe bene t, Mr. Muscheid added: “Working with
My next adventure is getting a dog again. Anne Boediger, Upper School German Teacher, 28 years
I look forward to cultivating my garden – both the one around my house and the one inside my head.
Paul Shoebottom, Upper School ESL Teacher, 30 years
May 2017 FIS World 19