1992-1993 THE ONE WHERE I MET MY TWO BESTIES 1992-1993: Wichita Public Schools: Peterson K-5 Library

1992-1993 School Year Picture
When I interviewed for my new job in July, I was 8 months pregnant and would have to start my job with a maternity leave. This did not seem to concern Mary Schumacher (Director of Library Media Services). Mary had  two schools available, one was full time and the other was part time. After being taken advantage of while working part time the past two years, I opted for the full time position. I was assigned to the BEST Elementary School in Wichita, Peterson. 

I instantly liked Mary and loved that we both shared the same philosophy of Flexible Library Scheduling. Flexible Library Scheduling means that as a Librarian, YOU ARE NOT A PLAN BREAK! Contractually speaking, the Library was not plan time in USD 259 and classroom teachers were to utilize the library as an extension of their classrooms. Flexible Library Scheduling was not  going to be loved and embraced by all teachers. I loved the fact that my Library lessons in my new building would be team taught. For the first time in my Librarian career I was going to be an important part of the staff. I would be  making a difference.  I knew that this “Paradigm Shift” in scheduling would be hard for some of the Teachers. Some teachers would embrace  it, others would not. I was up to the challenge and looked forward to beginning my new job in the Wichita Public Schools.


The timing of my hiring in the summer of 1992 qualified me for the district's incredible BRIDGE/pension upon my retirement at age 60, all I had to do was stay with the district until I turned 50 years old. When you are 29 years old with a newborn thinking about your retirement is the last thing on your mind. It is something I will GREATLY appreciate between the ages of 60-65. It is a benefit that no longer exists for current USD 259 Teachers as you had to hire in before a certain date in the 1990’s. 


I started my new job the week after the official enrollment day for USD 259. It was a day that allowed all of the buildings in town to shuffle around their excess employees. For example if a  building discovered it had too many first grade teachers the “excess” would be assigned to another school. This is how Penny Carter (Caporale) got moved to Peterson Elementary  from Ingalls (now Spaght) Elementary. Penny was in a class with me the summer of 1990 at WSU. We had worked on a project together. It was nice to see a familiar face. Shelley Nikkel (Gustin) had been teaching at McCormick Elementary (which had closed down), My first impression of Shelley was that she was stunningly beautiful. The three of us got along very well. We have been friends ever since.


To be honest with you, my teaching years while I was a parent (1992-2013) are a blur. I was always in the zone and making the most of my time on the job. I would very often work through my lunch period which allowed me to get everything done during my contract hours. This allowed me to put my family first. When you are a “bell to bell” Teacher you are not looked upon favorably. More often than not it is assumed that if you are “that” teacher that only works contract hours you are viewed as lazy. It is also assumed that if you are a Specials teacher aka “your plan break” that your job is easier than a classroom teacher. I would not say that my job was easier, just different.


Our Principal was “old school” and I found it hard to physically find him if I had a question to ask. I soon learned that the boiler room was where he hung out so he could smoke cigarettes. 


My years at Peterson were some of the best Librarian years of my career. Sadly I only got to use flexible scheduling for about 5 ½ years at three different USD 259 schools. It makes me sad to think that something so beneficial went away. The staff at Peterson was great. My working full time allowed me to provide benefits (at no cost) for our entire family. My full time salary allowed Brad and I to begin looking at purchasing our own home. The summer of 1993 was a sellers market. Homes would be put on the market only to be sold the next day. Brad and I finally found a home on a dead end road next to a wheat field in Haysville. We moved in right after our son's first birthday. 


Stay tuned for my next blog entry on July 31, 2021 entitled THE ONE WHERE I GOT A MORTGAGE 1993-1994

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