"There were three vows I made when I graduated from Dexter High School in 1975," Teresa Kapelski laughingly recalls, "I would never marry; I would never have kids; I would never set foot in a school again!"
Forty-two years of married life, three children, and 26 years in education later, she says she can't imagine her life any other way.
For the first time since 1992, the recently retired foreign language teacher is facing a non-teaching fall. While she misses her classroom routine, Kapelski is slowly adjusting to her slower-paced lifestyle.
Education was once the furthest thing from her mind. When she enrolled in college after high school, Kapelski wanted to be an architect.
However, over the course of the year, she met her soon-to-be husband and life took its first unexpected turn.
"Don and I married and were living in Cape. For the summer I accepted a secretarial position at Southeast University. I worked half a day in the Philosophy Department and the other half was in the Foreign Language Department. I did not enroll for the fall, but continued to work," she said.
It would be nearly a decade before the future teacher found her way back to a college classroom.
During those 10 years, the children were born and the family moved several times as her husband followed career opportunities. They eventually settled in Dexter and bought the old Klasling home where they still reside. Because she had children who played outside and because she enjoyed working in her large yard, Kapelski became acquainted with neighborhood children. She was privy to the struggles some of them faced at home, in the neighborhood and at school. She observed their behaviors and attitudes, understood what had formed them and knew how to react.
"I never fit in at school. I tried, but I couldn't be like everyone else. I always seemed to be out-of-sync and a fashion trend or two behind. I finally decided to just be me, which set me apart; however, because of my own experience I could identify with these children and I understood their anger and attitude," Kapelski said.
It was through this interaction and her growing desire to make a positive difference in the lives of these and other children, that Kapelski realized she wanted to be a teacher.
With her new-found purpose, Kapelski returned to college, commuting to Cape Girardeau for classes. Because her focus was foreign language, which requires a great deal of out-of-classroom work, it was six years before she finally graduated, earning certification to teach K-12.
"I graduated in December 1991 and was hired to teach at Hayti for the spring semester. I was offered a job in Dexter for the following fall, and that is where I spent the remainder of my career. I taught French and Spanish for two years, and then only Spanish," Kapelski said.
Kapelski is quick to point out that when school began last fall, she had not considered retiring and was still very much enjoying her job; however, health concerns had compromised her ability to be as active as she felt she needed to be. Reluctantly, she submitted her resignation, effective at the end of the 2017-2018 school term.
"I loved teaching and I loved my students. I loved opening up the world of language to them, and I truly tried to help them be their best selves and see that there was life outside of the circumstances they knew," Kapelski said.
Cleaning out her classroom, throwing away a lot of memories, was hard.
"When I walked away from my classroom for the last time, I thought that was it -- that I would be okay, but I haven't cut the cord yet. I still feel like I should be planning lessons and working in my room. Leaving teaching was a difficult decision for me and one that my heart was not ready to make. If it weren't for the health problems, I would be there in that classroom -- just like always," she said.
As summer winds down, Kapelski reflects on her retirement goals and how she is adjusting to life without the back-to-school anticipation.
"I have set goals for retirement and have prioritized them. Number one is getting my house in order after 26 years of half-hearted attention," she said. "I am cleaning, sorting, organizing, purging. I have worked all summer, and hope to have it finished sometime in August. Of course, there are cosmetic changes we want to make, too, but those are not immediate."
Number two on her list is taking control of her health and well-being.
"I felt so much better when I was swimming regularly," she explains, "but last year was extremely demanding -- with retirement looming and my trying to clean out the classroom throughout the year -- that I let swimming fall by the wayside. I haven't resumed it this summer because I am determined to get the house in order. Once that is finished, though, I will return to swimming, and I may try yoga and tai chi. I am going to take care of myself."
Next on her agenda is spending time with her parents and children.
"Both my parents are still living and in relatively good health. I hope to spend time with them each week and do some fun things together. Since Don has retired, too, we'll be able to travel to see our daughter and grandchildren in Southwest Missouri, and have more time for our daughter and grandson who live here in town," Kapelski said.
The final goal is to develop her jewelry-making and machine-embroidery business.
"I have always loved creating and making things, but teaching was time-consuming and I did not have time to pursue those interests. I am looking forward to being able to devote time and energy into not only crafting, but establishing my business and working to make it profitable," she said.
Eventually, Kapelski hopes to purchase a motorcycle. She says she has two models in mind, but has not decided which one she wants.
"I had a motorcycle in high school, and I still have that desire to ride. Don won't ride with me," she chuckles, "but he said he might be agreeable to a side car."
The couple has some mutual ambitions, as well. They hope to build a two-story workshop where Don can pursue his woodworking and Kapelski can craft her copper and silver jewelry. For fun they have ordered a 13-foot Scamp travel trailer, which will allow them to travel unencumbered.
"We have read and watched videos about life in one of these, and we think we are up to the adventure," she said.
"I am happy in retirement," Kapelski adds thoughtfully, "however, 'once a teacher--always a teacher' and I am confident that even though I am no longer in a classroom, I will find a way to continue to use my language and teaching skills to help others."