Veteran teachers bid NES adieu
BY SAM TOOLE INDEPENDENT INTERN
Two veteran teachers said farewell this morning to Nantucket Elementary School. Second grade teacher Elizabeth "Betsy" Mann retired after 22 years as an educator, and fourth grade teacher Jim Sulzer is moving on to a new position at the Nantucket New School. Combined, they have taught in the Nantucket public school system for 39 years.

Prior to teaching on Nantucket, where she was born and raised, Mann taught in Honolulu, Hawaii, and in Wheaton, Ill. During her 18 years at NES, the school has become larger and more diverse. She is proud to say that even with an increased student population, teachers and administrators have been able to maintain relatively small class sizes of 15-to-20 students.

Some of Mann's fondest memories are of her years teaching mixed classes of second and third grade students. She said that her years as a teacher were a blessing, and that she truly enjoyed them. "Teaching has been a lot of fun on Nantucket. They were wonderful times filled with wonderful people."

She and her husband, Vince, plan to summer here on Nantucket and escape the cold during the winter in Arizona.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent Betsy Mann's second grade students gather around the cake they shared at her surprise retirement ceremony last Friday.

Her students surprised her last Friday afternoon by planting a Cleveland pear tree outside her classroom window and installing a plaque at its base, whose inscription reads:

"Planted in honor of Betsy Mann, in appreciation for her dedicated service and devotion to the children of Nantucket public schools. Class of 2007."

Doneyn Bourke, mother of student Aiden Bourke, said she and several parents wanted to recognize Mann for her commitment to the island's children. "We felt that we needed to do something as a tribute," she said.

A visibly moved Mann, whose husband, daughters Jenn and Kiley, and sister, Meg, also attended the festivities, said the surprise, which included a cake, video card and class song, was a memorable close to a fruitful career.

After 21 years at the Nantucket Elementary School, Jim Sulzer has decided it is time for a change and will began teaching at the Nantucket New School in the fall. He worked as a writing teacher with a variety of age groups for eight years before moving into his position as a fourth grade classroom teacher, where he has been for the last 13 years.

One of his defining moments as a teacher came during his very first day when he was put in front of a group of kindergarteners and told to teach them. He told a story and asked the children to write about something similar. To his surprise, they all started to write enthusiastically. Seeing these children take such an interest inspired him, and he has been teaching ever since.

His years in the classroom have brought their own rewards. "I've learned how to teach children of all different levels and in many different ways," he said.

Sulzer will miss working at the elementary school but he is looking forward to new experiences at the

smaller Nantucket New School. I