Community
THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014
Classic cars gather in Old Poway Park. Page B2A00
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Poway woman helps save opera. Page B14
Retiring elementary teachers reflect on careers
DIGEST Islamic talk At the 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10 Conservative Order for Good Government luncheon, Mofid Wasef will talk about how Islamists in the United States are influencing American society. The luncheon will be in the Bernardo Heights Country Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway in Rancho Bernardo. Cost is $25 for non-COGG members. RSVP by Friday, June 6 with Carol Prendergast at 858-676-6186 or carol@ cuprendergast.com.
Like dahlias?
Poway Unified School District will be saying goodbye to 36 teachers and one administrator who are retiring, including 20 at the elementary level when school dismisses for the summer next week. Teachers with the district for 25 or more years were invited to share their thoughts on reaching this career milestone. Featured this week are those at the elementary level. Teachers at other levels will be featured in an upcoming issue. • Karon Michele Gentry has taught in PUSD for 38 years, most recently first grade at Los Penasquitos Elementary, where she has taught for the past 36 years. She was Los Penasquitos’ Teacher of the Year in 1997, its SST Coordinator and a team leader. Gentry earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Cal Western University and said she became a teacher because “teaching was my dream ever since I can remember.” She added, “(Teaching) far exceeded my expectations (because) I did not realize the impact and influence I would have on so many, as a teacher. Teaching is a fine reward.” According to Gentry, since entering the profession “teaching is far more disciplined now. Technology has made data access and use a
KARON GENTRY
KRISTIE SZENTESI
NANCY PARKER
DENNIS SERVETTER
potent tool for tailoring the curriculum to individual student needs.” Gentry said “every year” is a special memory to her and in retirement she plans to continue living in Poway. “I will sleep and wash my car.
Then I’m going to spend as much time as possible with my husband and family,” she said. • Kristie Szentesi has taught in PUSD for 37 years, most recently fourth grade at
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Los Penasquitos Elementary, where she has taught for the past 11 years. She previously taught at Westwood, Chaparral, Turtleback, Highland Ranch and Shoal Creek elementaries. Szentesi has held various positions, including student council adviser, running club coordinator, mentor teacher and for three years assisted new teachers through the Poway Professional Assistance Program. Szentesi was named Highland Ranch, Poway Unified and San Diego County Teacher of the Year. The Poway High graduate earned her bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University and master’s degree at United States International University. Szentesi said she became a teacher because “from the moment I began coaching the Rancho Bernardo swim team, lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons at a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. Coaching, knowing that kids were listening and ‘looking up’ to me, and watching the wonder of their faces while learning something new, motivated me to pursue a teaching career.” Szentesi added, “I have loved every single minute of my teaching career. I can’t imagine a more rewarding profession. I’ve learned more about life from my students and families than I could have ever imagined.” According to Szentesi, “today’s greatest educational challenge is with the students
who walk in our classroom doors each day. In my first year of teaching, I had one student out of 32 students with divorced parents. Today, many students come from single family homes, parents who struggle financially and many who face language barriers. These issues greatly challenge parenting skills that directly impacts students and learning.” Szentesi said one of her most memorable moments was when a 9-year-old student being raised by her grandparents because both parents were in prison said, “Mrs. Szentesi, I love you” due to the extra time she gave the girl. “It was then, I realized the powerful impact teachers have on students if we just let them know we care, believe and value them.” While retired from the classroom, Szentesi said she plans to co-author a book on teaching and be the director of teacher quality for No Excuses University Schools. She will also travel, exercise, ride her bicycle and spend quality time with family and friends. • Nancy Parker has taught in PUSD for 36 years, most recently third grade at Midland Elementary, where she has taught for the past 17 years. She previously taught at Garden Road, Rolling Hills, Sundance and Deer Canyon elementaries. Parker has held various positions at these campuses, including SEE TEACHERS, Page B4
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Sharon Tooley, Poway Valley Garden Club past president, Bernardo Gardeners Club member and dahlia expert, will explain how to grow and care for these flowers and how to divide tubers at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21. Her free talk will be at Sunshine Care, 12695 Monte Vista Road in Poway. Door prizes and refreshments will be served. Following the lecture there will be a free tour of Sunshine Care’s greenhouse and organic gardens. RSVP with Roy Wilburn at roy@sunshinecare.com or 858-4726059. Upon arrival, follow the signs to the end of the cul-de-sac, park and wait for shuttle to take you to the lecture site.
BY ELIZABETH MARIE HIMCHAK