Saying Goodbye to Full-Time Teaching at TCS

By Mary Jo Wilmes, Former Visual Arts Specialist

Mary Jo retired from full-time teaching at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. She shares her reflections below.

It’s hard to leave The College School – that’s for sure. The connections run pretty deep through my family and through myself. My stepson Peter Lang went to TCS in the 70s and my son Martin Lang graduated in 2009 (or something like that). My husband, Tom, was head of the Visual Arts program at Webster University, which is located in the ‘old’ College School building on Webster’s campus – so the family connection is real. And now

Jordan Struckmann – Visual Arts Specialist

Jordan joined The College School this fall as Visual Arts Specialist. She graduated from Webster University with a B.A. in Studio Art and a minor in Psychology. Jordan earned her M.A. in Counseling and Art Therapy from Lesley University in Boston. In her previous roles, Jordan has served as an art instructor and art therapist, most recently for Youth in Need, where she facilitated individual and group art therapy for K-12 students in the Francis Howell School District. n

Rachel Schroeder – Second Grade Teacher

Rachel joined Suzie Schmidt in Second Grade this fall. Rachel has taught students in the Pattonville and Webster Groves School Districts ranging from First Grade to Fifth Grade. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology from St. Louis University. Rachel gained experience with project-based learning while working in the Webster Groves School District and understands the value of a student’s interest helping to guide their learning. n

3. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with foil. Break each frozen graham cracker in half and cover the bottom of the dish with a single layer of graham crackers. Reserve remaining ones for later.

4. Pour strawberry yogurt mixture on top of graham crackers. Add the second layer of graham crackers on top.

1. Wash and chop strawberries, place them on a cookie sheet, and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Place graham crackers on another cookie sheet and freeze for about 30 minutes.

2. Combine cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice. Once combined, add the honey, mix on low with a hand mixer to combine until smooth. Then fold in the semi-frozen berries.

5. Freeze the tray for about 4 hours. When ready to eat, lift from foil and cut with a sharp knife to make individual sandwiches.

6. Serve immediately or wrap individual servings in plastic wrap and freeze until ready to serve. n my nephew, Dan Miller, and his wife, Maggie, have two daughters who are going to TCS -- the adventure continues for me. As I spent the month of June going through the art room to clear out the last 20+ years, I was constantly reminded of projects created in the art room, of former students’ work stashed in the flat files, on shelves, and in cabinets, and so many pictures of special events, artists visits, and student creativity. It was hard and fun and exhausting and emotional. As I move away from the classroom and creating curriculum, I made a promise to continue supporting class trips and adventures. Honestly, it’s too hard to just walk away, and as I have seen in my other colleagues who have retired, there is always something pulling us back to TCS. It’s a combination of the feeling you get walking in the door and the kids calling out your name and the comfort of visiting classrooms where you know you are always welcome. It’s seeing the buses lined up and waiting to take kids exploring. It’s the work on the walls that reflects all the learning and adventures. It’s the greenhouse, it’s the theater, the Preschool and the Middle School hallways. It’s the candy drawer in First Grade (thanks, Melissa!) and the couches in Middle School classrooms. It’s the parents in the pickup line at the end of the day or waiting in the parking lot on the return from a campout, Chicago, New Orleans, or North

As one of our favorite artists, Keith Haring, said about the process - “Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.”

Carolina. really want to thank all of the young artists who have inspired me throughout my years at TCS, who have grown and discovered and explored ideas with me and trusted me to guide them. I want to thank Jan Phillips for hiring me years ago and giving me the TCS family. I also want to thank all the faculty who I have had the opportunity and pleasure to travel and collaborate with, who have sat around campfires telling stories, who have gotten lost in the woods, on a trail, in a city, and not panicked and carried on with the knowledge that we had each others back and true adventure is about just that – finding your way. I want to thank them for the hallway planning, the backstage excitement, the curtain going up, the crazy ideas that bloomed and flowered, the support for all things creative--and the love. n