The senior class spends four years at Hays High, but that’s nothing compared to some of the teachers.

James Mages has been here for 47 years, Jeanie Michaelis for 20 years, Janet Affentranger for three years, though she has taught since 1978 at other schools, and Mona Chapman for nine years but she has taught a total of 27 years. Something these four teachers all have in common is the fact that they are all retiring, some for different reasons.

“Our daughter is going to have a baby in August, making my husband and I grandparents for the first time,” Michaelis said. “My daughter and her husband live in California and I want to be an integral part of my grandchild’s life and without retiring I wouldn’t be able to do that, at least to the degree I want.”

Affentranger is retiring for family reasons as well.

“My husband has needed a help with his business for some time, and I’m going to be that helper,” Affentranger said.

Some retiring teachers have big plans for after they retire.

“We have a motorcycle so we are taking a trip to the Black Hills in the early summer and then as my retirement gift we are going Maui in September,” Chapman said.

Like Chapman, Michaelis plans on traveling as well.

“Trips to California where our oldest daughter lives will be frequent, but I also plan on taking trips with my sister as well as my husband,” Michaelis said.

Even though these teachers are retiring they will miss many things and will certainly never forget about their time teaching at Hays High.

“I will miss many things but mostly the fun, conscientious students and the warm, welcoming staff. They will all be missed so much,” Affentranger said.

20mweber@usd489.com