Getting To Know The Staff – Library
A familiar smiling face everyone is greeted with when entering the library, Mrs. Schmidt, has been working in education for 32 years and has spent 21 of those years at the home of the Kahoks. If she couldn’t do her current job, she’d like to be a florist and make flower arrangements to brighten people’s days. It’s no secret Mrs. Schmidt loves her job.
“Helping people. That’s my favorite part,” said Mrs. Schmidt, “I kind of get to see lots of different people under lots of different circumstances and I like when I can help them and figure out what they need to get done.”
Mrs. Schmidt has a hiking hobby, and she would love to go out to some national parks and experience the beautiful surrounding views. Mrs. Schmidt is greatly appreciated at CHS and her hard work does not go unnoticed.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned at CHS?
“That my way isn’t always the right way or the only way. I learn a lot from the kids and people and how others handle situations or get the job done. I always find out new ways to do things.”
What motivates you every day?
“I mean, I love my job and I love being here every day. I like all the different people and anybody I encounter I try to make their day better and not worse.”
What advice do you have for students?
“Try it all. Like, if you think you’re interested in it, try it. We have so many things here clubs, classes, opportunities, take advantage of it, like don’t be scared or don’t do it just because your friends aren’t doing it, if you think you’re interested in it, try it out.”
Mrs. Schmidt’s dynamic duo, Mrs. Altenberger, is our beloved assistant librarian who decorates our stunning library. Mrs. Altenberger was an electrician before making her way into education. She has been in the district for 17 years and at CHS for five years.
“I like being able to interact with the kids in a different setting and being able to help them differently than in the classroom. This is more free,” she stated. “I get to do creative things instead of just ‘you have to get your homework done’ ‘you have to do this.’”
Mrs. Altenberger is looking forward to retirement and spending quality time with her family, especially her grandchildren! All she does for our library to run smoothly has been noticed and appreciated.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned at CHS?
“It’s not always black and white. Kids don’t all learn the same way and sometimes you have to think out of the box to get them to understand what you them to know.”
What motivates you every day?
“I mean, usually there’s no other reason to come here, except to help kids out or to be there, and I’ve always been that type of person. So, it’s been a very fulfilling position to have. and to see a lot of kids that I had in seventh and eighth grade ready to graduate. It makes you happy.”
What advice do you have for students?
“Never give up.”
The testing center is a great place for students to focus on their work and have a quiet space, but who is the one that keeps it in order? Mrs. Ferrero is our testing center coordinator and supervisor. She also monitors lunch detentions which is a new discipline action this year. She’s been with us for 23 years and is retiring this year. Very bittersweet. If she couldn’t do her current position, Mrs. Ferrero would move back into the classroom and teach students again.
“My absolute favorite would be when you’re helping somebody work through something that they are struggling with, and when they get it, you can see it in their face and their eyes. I call it the ‘aha moment.’”
Mrs. Ferrero has a motorcycle driver’s license and is a certified scuba diver! She’d like to have a successful retirement and spend more time with her new grandson who is 19 months old! It’s sad to say goodbye but her contributions at CHS will be remembered.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned at CHS?
“We all need to work together to really just accomplish anything.”
What motivates you every day?
“At this point in my life and career, it is getting to that retirement mark, that sounds like a pretty yucky goal but it’s a long-needed break.”
What advice do you have for students?
“Try all kinds of things in life. Don’t be afraid you’re going to look silly or that you’re going to fail. We all fail. Still in this day and age, I fail regularly. We all do. You just learn what not to do the next time”
“Learn new things, life is really about learning even if it may not be something big every day. It doesn’t necessarily mean buying a textbook and sitting down and trying to read it, but being open to hearing new things, learning new things, and not being afraid to try those things.”
