Losing a teacher at a school can really change the vibe of the school whether the teacher retired, found a new job, or even was asked to leave. At Plainwell High School we lost three teachers this last year: Craig Archer, who taught social studies and sciences, Jenny Karsen, who taught math, and Marcelle Marcelletti, who taught physics.
Karsen left Plainwell for a job in Lawton to have her whole family in the same district to simplify schedules, especially with her oldest son starting kindergarten this school year. Karsen’s favorite part of Plainwell was the students and staff.
“ I was extremely sad that I didn’t get to say goodbye to students and staff in person,” she said.
Brandi Hamming ‘15, who had Karsen for pre-calc and trig loved her as a teacher and a person. Hamming described Karsen as “very inspiring”. “The school is missing out on a great teacher and leader,” Hamming said.
One of the biggest differences from Plainwell to Lawton Karsen noted was the size, saying “nearly all of the classes are in one hall that spans about equal length from Mrs. Hess’s [old] room to Mr. Hansen’s room.”
Craig Archer now teaches at Allegan High School so he can be closer to his wife, who also teaches in that district. He said that his time at Plainwell was great, saying “ Plainwell has a supportive, caring community of stakeholders working together.” If he could have changed one thing, he said he would have liked to see more students at the sporting events cheering on the teams.
Archer was one of those teachers that some students loved and others weren’t so fond of. Haley Betts ‘15 was one of those latter students. She said he wasn’t her favorite because his teaching methods didn’t seem to get through to many students.
“He was too silly of a teacher” and “did dumb things” said Emily Moeller ‘15 who had him for World History.
Marcelle Marcelletti taught physics here and she also had her critics among students. Moeller said “she taught too slow.”
Conversely, Betts said “she taught like you already knew the information.” Both Betts and Moeller would agree that Marcelletti had a great personality, though, and that she will be missed.
Losing these three teachers has changed the school in many ways but we are excited to see what their replacements bring with them.