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I had the pleasure of interviewing a couple of teachers with
close to and over four decades of service to the Caledonia schools. I
hope you had the chance to check out the stories which, in a series of
articles we titled: “Difference makers,” these past few weeks.
While I never had the pleasure of having either Ken Van Den Boom nor
Ron Moen as a teacher, their passion, love for the children, and
overall joy they felt doing their jobs was evident in the short time I
spent with each of them.
As I made my way throughout the community, several people shared their
thoughts with me on these two men. Each conversation only reaffirmed to
me that naming the series “Difference Makers” was indeed the right
thing to do.
Congrats Boomer! Retire knowing you truly made a difference in this
life and countless others. Enjoy! noted a reader blog on our website
www.hometownargus.com. He only identified himself as former student and
athlete.
But like that unidentified reader, it came through that each of these
men have touched the lives of several young people throughout the
community in their four decades of service.
Both could have walked away a long time ago, but neither wished to do
so too long before it was time because of their love of what they did.
I admire both men and was moved by their thoughtfullness, community
engagement, the willingness they had to share of themselves with the
young people of this community and overall joy I felt when I visited
with each of them about the conclusion of their respective careers.
I know this certainly means nothing coming from someone who was not a
former student, or at the very least, it certainly means more coming
from those of you who had them as a teacher, but the impact they’ve
made on society was apparent to me even in jus spending a simple 10 or
15 minutes with them interviewing them for a story.
Good luck to both of you in all you do moving forward.
Comments shared by readers:
Well first off I would like to say I am going to miss all his crazy
ties :) Mr. Van Den Boom, you were such a great teacher, always fair
and understanding. You made science come to life to me, and I am very
grateful. You also taught me great responsablity when it came to being
your student aide, which by the way you still owe me some Dairy Queen!
You taught my parents then me and it saddens me that you will not be my
“Future Childrens” science teacher..you truly are a great educator!
--Signed simply “student aide.”
I remember the day when I figured out I could work well under pressure.
I was in 9th grade and it was the last day of the “sludge” test. I was
minutes away from having to provide my findings to Mr. Van Den Boom
when I was able to detect four additional ingredents in my sample of
“sludge”. Boomer was the reason I pursued a career in art. Just
Kidding. Ha Ha. Seriously, you are a wonderful teacher and thank you
for sharing your knowledge to the kids of CHS over the past 40
years.--By Jeff Burroughs.
As my graduation from the University of St Thomas is only a few weeks
away I can’t help but reflect on how I’ve gotten to where I am. With a
degree consisting of a geology/environmental studies major with a
biology minor, science and the science teachers I had played an
important role in getting me here. Mr. Van Den Boom is one of a list of
influential science teachers that instilled in me an appreciation for
science and inspired me to continue on in the field. I know I am simply
one of many students who will remember Mr. Van Den Boom’s science
classes with fond memories--even the sludge test. This spring my
(graduation) hats off to you. Thanks for your dedication and service to
the Caledonia school system. May there be many more like you. --Greg
Schieber.
Comments regarding Ron Moen:
I remember Mr. Moen as a really fun teacher, although he had terrible
taste in football teams. I’m sure he will be missed around the school.
--Former student.
I am assuming that he is a cheese head, but you know what they
say when you assume. It could be he’s a Texans fan or something like
that. After all, he is a cattle farmer.
You’re a great teacher and a wonderful father. I’m so happy for you.--Christine.
Good luck to both of you in everything you do moving forward, and while
I was never lucky enough to take a class from either of you, in my
humble opinion I could tell in just the short time that I spent with
each of you in an interview, I could tell you are both very good at
your job and that Caledonia was lucky to have had each of you.
Especially for as long as they did.
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