09/10/2017
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Jim Marousis’ teaching career is coming to an end
Jim Marousis is finishing up the last year of his teaching career at Maple River West Elementary. He is the Reading Specialist for the school. His small room – which seems more like a humble storage room – has a long table where he works with students, a desk and lots of books. He has been with the district for the past 20 years, working at the Amboy Middle School for 14 years and then at Maple River West Elementary for the past six years.
Marousis has been a teacher for a total of 40 years, beginning his career in Illinois in 1972. He recalled his first contract was for $12,000. During his first year of teaching, he wondered about his choice of career. But, what kept him going was that spark of life that each day in the classroom gave him. He realized that good teaching was an art and is very complex, like flying a jet and bringing it in for a landing. But, he loves teaching and feels he was born to be a teacher.
Today, he feels that classroom teachers cannot teach things in depth and that the profession is more driven.
His career has led him to Alaska and Wisconsin, but family ties called him to Minnesota where he has been ever since.
When asked what he feels has changed since his first years of teaching, he noted that kids have not changed. “They are small people, learning to live and be with one another,” he said. What has changed is the world about them. There are many stressors on children, from their family’s economics, to the pull of television and technology and the fact that both parents have to work to make ends meet. But, Maple River West families are supportive and give their time to activities after school for students such as Scouts or the Parent Teacher Organization, which is why he has enjoyed working there.
His advice to new teachers would be, “Get to know kids as people. Let the kids know that you are having fun and enjoy being there.” He feels that the classroom should be a safe place where students can be themselves.
Photo: Jim Marousis helps Graycie Kleindl, a first grade student at Maple River West, with reading.
