Georgia Kretschmar, 4th grade--retiring after 29 years at Pierz: ready for new beginnings
I am Georgia Kretschmar, 4th grade teacher at Pioneer Elementary. I have been a teacher in the Pierz school district since 1989 when I joined the “small” Pioneer family in Harding at the only public school in the district. I was the Title I teacher for one year before moving to 4th grade where I’ve been ever since. Prior to coming to Pierz, I taught 2nd grade from 1985-89 at Ripley Elementary in Litchfield.
I went to school at Moorhead State University where I planned to become a social worker. Psychology got the best of me, though, so I switched to elementary education. Before starting my job in Litchfield, I was a shelf stocker at the Target store in Grand Forks, ND. I married John in 1985, and we moved to Litchfield where we stayed for 4 years. John got an electronics technician job in Brainerd, and I got the job in Harding, so we moved to Merrifield for one year. We then bought a house on Hanks Bay east of town, and had our only child Andy in 1992. We moved yet again to a home outside of Garrison until Andy was in 1st grade when we then moved to Genola where we have been ever since.
From Pioneer Elementary Principal, Tom Otte: "Georgia has spent the last 29 years of her life dedicating her time and efforts to the children of the Pierz School District. As a resident living in our community for many years, Georgia always has a good feeling and great knowledge about what is best for Pierz children. She is an anchor in 4th grade and will be missed as one of Pioneer Elementary's historic teachers."
Not only is she a beacon of light for our students, but for our staff as well--as first-year teacher Jackie Caughey explains: "Georgia is genuine and kind when it comes to the needs of her students. She is compassionate and hard working and puts their learning first. I believe that my colleagues around the building would agree that if you need a good, honest laugh you should go to Georgia. As her mentee in my first year of my career, I can honestly say that on some of the hard days her jokes and support have been the things that have kept me going. She eases my 'first year concerns' by putting everything into perspective! Georgia will be so deeply missed by her team, students, and colleagues at Pioneer- we wish her the very best!"
These past 33 years have flown by, but I have enjoyed every minute of it. There have been many changes in education throughout my career, some good, some not so good! The biggest change would be technology, which I look at as a blessing and a curse. I sure hope “going outside” never gets old for our children. I have truly cherished my time at Pioneer, and will greatly miss my “school family”. But, to quote a favorite song, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”. I look fondly back at my old beginning, and with great anticipation forward to my new beginning. Thanks for the good times ISD 484!
I went to school at Moorhead State University where I planned to become a social worker. Psychology got the best of me, though, so I switched to elementary education. Before starting my job in Litchfield, I was a shelf stocker at the Target store in Grand Forks, ND. I married John in 1985, and we moved to Litchfield where we stayed for 4 years. John got an electronics technician job in Brainerd, and I got the job in Harding, so we moved to Merrifield for one year. We then bought a house on Hanks Bay east of town, and had our only child Andy in 1992. We moved yet again to a home outside of Garrison until Andy was in 1st grade when we then moved to Genola where we have been ever since.
From Pioneer Elementary Principal, Tom Otte: "Georgia has spent the last 29 years of her life dedicating her time and efforts to the children of the Pierz School District. As a resident living in our community for many years, Georgia always has a good feeling and great knowledge about what is best for Pierz children. She is an anchor in 4th grade and will be missed as one of Pioneer Elementary's historic teachers."
Not only is she a beacon of light for our students, but for our staff as well--as first-year teacher Jackie Caughey explains: "Georgia is genuine and kind when it comes to the needs of her students. She is compassionate and hard working and puts their learning first. I believe that my colleagues around the building would agree that if you need a good, honest laugh you should go to Georgia. As her mentee in my first year of my career, I can honestly say that on some of the hard days her jokes and support have been the things that have kept me going. She eases my 'first year concerns' by putting everything into perspective! Georgia will be so deeply missed by her team, students, and colleagues at Pioneer- we wish her the very best!"
These past 33 years have flown by, but I have enjoyed every minute of it. There have been many changes in education throughout my career, some good, some not so good! The biggest change would be technology, which I look at as a blessing and a curse. I sure hope “going outside” never gets old for our children. I have truly cherished my time at Pioneer, and will greatly miss my “school family”. But, to quote a favorite song, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”. I look fondly back at my old beginning, and with great anticipation forward to my new beginning. Thanks for the good times ISD 484!
