CAL’s Schaefer retires after 39 years with district

The last three months of Mardy Schaefer’s 40-plus years in education were undoubtedly among the toughest of her career.

With intentions to retire from CAL following the final bell this year, Schaefer was abruptly separated from students and fellow teachers due to the school’s closure amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online lessons replaced face-to-face instruction and Zoom conferences took the place of live, in-person events. Most difficult of all, was the inability to say goodbye to the students and staff who helped make part of her 39 years at CAL enjoyable and memorable.

“All of this for me was heartbreaking,” she said. “I wish I could have gathered together so I could have told my students and staff how much I have enjoyed working with them.

“In a small school such as CAL, it is possible to build strong relationships not only with students, but also with parents and the community,” she added, saying those connections are what have had her coming back year after year. “It’s been these special connections hat have made my plans to retire rather elusive.”

While the last couple months have been difficult for Schaefer, they’ve also been a reminder of why CAL has its reputation of a tight knit, unflappable community that has overcome adversity several times in her career.

The school was able to quickly rebuild after a fire destroyed the gymnasium in 1981, was the first in the state to offer school-sponsored preschool and was able to conduct one of the biggest capital campaigns to construct an addition for the high school.

“I have always been very proud to be a teacher at CAL. Our small, rural school has a long reputation for being a small but innovative school,” she said. “CAL’s community support is second to none and I have witnessed many changes since coming to CAL, but one constant has been the fact that Cadet pride runs deep in this community.”

Schaefer’s knowledge of CAL’s prowess started well before she came to the school, she said. Following graduation from Iowa State University, she began her career as a preschool and first grade teacher at Meservey-Thornton. She said at that time, the school was working to model its preschool program after CAL’s.

Having just moved to the family farm north of Latimer with her husband, AJ, CAL was a viable option for her career. She had the opportunity to join the school in 1981 as a TAG teacher after three years at M-T and eventually transitioned to fifth and sixth grade. The CAL position not only provided a job closer to home, but would eventually provide Schaefer with lasting friends.

“The move to CAL was serendipitous because here, I found not only a great place to teach with wonderful students and supportive parents, but as an added blessing, so many dedicated coworkers that become some of my best friends,” she said. “I am so thankful I had the opportunity to teach in my home community.”

Schaefer said the decision to retire was difficult, but one she made with her family in mind. She said she intends to use the time to make more frequent connections with her children and grandchildren in Texas and South Carolina.

Schaefer made it clear, however, that her retirement was not the end of her involvement with CAL. She said she intends to be a substitute teacher with the district.

“Subbing will grant me the opportunity to continue to make a difference- converting more young people into Cyclone fanatics,” she said.