School career comes to an end

Katie Hunsucker didn't want people to make a big deal out of her decision to retire.

"But that's hard to do when you're losing an educator like Katie," Cortland Elementary School Principal Jeff Klakamp said.

For 37 years, Mrs. H, as she is affectionately called by her students, touched the lives of hundreds of second-graders at Cortland.

Thursday was her last day teaching and as the time ticked by, she found herself reflecting on a fulfilling career and looking forward to new adventures.

"Thirty-seven years have come and gone. I can't believe it," she said. "These truly have been the best times of my life."

It was no surprise that Hunsucker decided to become a teacher.

"I can't imagine having done anything else," she said. "I was one of those kids that loved school. I loved my teachers, being with other kids, the activities, the sounds, the experiences - I even loved the smells."

With nearly 40 years in the classroom, Hunsucker says she has no regrets and would do it all over again.

"It's bittersweet for me, because I will miss the kids terribly," she said. "But now, in the mornings I'm going to have that second cup of coffee and watch all of the news and on snow days I won't have to worry about making them up."

Even though she has taught second grade for her entire career, Hunsucker said it wasn't her first choice.

"When I received word of my assignment to a second-grade class at Cortland, I was disappointed," she said. "I had wanted an upper grade, but that disappointment turned out to be the best thing that could have happened."

Besides more coffee and news, Hunsucker said there are lots of activities that will keep her busy.

"For the first time in many years, my life will not be governed by a school calendar," she said. "I plan to spend time with my wonderful daughter, Jessica. I'll do some gardening, some reading, some biking, some traveling and perhaps clean out my closets."

Hunsucker said one of the hardest things about retiring after 37 years is cleaning and packing up her classroom.

"That's 37 years of junk that I've collected," she said, laughing. "I'm finding things I forgot I had."

Hunsucker said she has cherished her time at Cortland and will miss the students and all the people she works with.

"It has been both an honor and a privilege working within the Seymour Community School system," she said. "I'll miss my school family. They have been more than just my co-workers.

"Above all, I will miss the kids," she continued. "They have taught me as much as I have taught them. I will continue to look upon my former students with pride and affection."

Also retiring this year from Seymour Community Schools:

Caroline Carr, cafeteria manager at Cortland Elementary School, is completing 31 years of service.

Alice Meginnis, first-grade teacher at Seymour-Redding Elementary School, is completing 24 years at Redding.

Betty Hill, sixth-grade teacher at Seymour Middle School, is completing 29 years of service.

Kathleen Levens, media specialist at Seymour Middle School, is completing 20 years at SMS.