Posted: 5/24/05
Betty DeWitz has seen many changes
Technology has really changed things for Betty DeWitz, who is retiring at the end of this school year at Caledonia High School.
When DeWitz started teaching keyboarding and business classes for ISD #299 in 1980, she and her students were working with typewriters. Now her classroom is filled with Compaq computers
ìThe biggest change has been in the area of technology,î she said. ìI started teaching on manual typewriters, and now we have networked computers with internet access.î
Those changes can also be seen in the different classes that DeWitz has taught over the years: 4th, 5th, and 6th grade keyboarding; 8th grade word processing; 9th-12th grade word processing, computer applications, internet applications, office procedures, office technology, speedwriting, shorthand, notehand, business English, and journalism.
But technology isnít the first thing that comes to mind when DeWitz reflects on her 25 years at Caledonia, and 32 total years of teaching. She said the most rewarding part of her job was working with the students, teaching them and helping them to be successful. She likes to watch them grow and succeed.
ìI will miss the students and also the people I work with, the staff,î she said.
But she has had good equipment to work with, and she appreciates that. ìIíve had three new labs,î DeWitz said. ìThat has been very nice, very helpful.î
DeWitz commended the communities in the Caledonia school district for their support. ìTheyíve support us through their taxes,î she said. ìThey value education. Because the young people. theyíre the future of our community and our country.î
She agreed with another teacher who is retiring this year, Keith Hollatz, in saying that the school climate is good. Administrators are contributing a lot toward that, and everyone is working together, DeWitz feels.
Jon Lilliquist has taught business classes with DeWitz for 25 years. He described her as professional, knowledgeable, articulate, and conscientious. ìShe was just a wonderful person to work with,î he said. ìVery kind and caring.î
They made a good team. Lilliquist did accounting and business law finance, while DeWitz had more of the office classes.
ìMy own children had her as a teacher,î Lilliquist added. ìIt was a very, very positive experience. They really became skilled in the use of the computer.î
Enjoyed teaching
What advice would DeWitz give to someone who is considering a teaching career? ìIf you enjoy working with young people, I encourage you to consider teaching,î she answered.î I have enjoyed my teaching career very much. It has been challenging, exciting, interesting, and a rewarding experience for me. I feel when you work with young people, you have an opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise, and hopefully you make a difference in someoneís life.î
DeWitz said she has no definite plans for the future, except to spend more time with her family and grandson, who is two years old. She and her husband, Thomas, are also expecting another grandson at the end of August. They have two children: Heath, Chesapeake, Virginia; and Sara, Washington, D.C.
Betty also taught in Oshkosh, WI, for two years and Roseville, MN, for five years. She grew up in Caledonia, the daughter of the late Harold and Esther Schulze. She graduated from Winona State University with a degree in business education, and received her master's degree from UW-LaCrosse.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com