Washington teachers look back

Sauers, Macho, Lambrecht

reflect

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- After more than a century of combined service, Washington Elementary School teachers Diane Lambrecht, Ted Sauers and Tom Macho taught students for the final time Thursday.

The trio recalled some of their more memorable moments earlier this week.

For Macho, who coached hockey for decades at New Ulm High School, his memories centered on arduous all-night duty as a hockey coach trying to get get to his country home in the middle of a snow storm.

Macho and the team journeyed to Fairmont for a game and got home rather late. He got stuck trying to drive home west of New Ulm and came upon another motorist who was also stuck.

As luck would have it, another driver in an all-wheel-drive Steiger tractor crossed Macho's path as he was walking in the driving snow in the wee hours of the morning on U.S. Highway 14. He was near what is now Brown County Tire & Service, Inc.

"I don't know if it was dedication or stupidity," Macho said with a smile, recalling his late-night dilemma.

He spent his entire teaching career at Washington School.

"I came with the building," Macho said with a smile.

Lambrecht recalled her version of surviving a snowy trip home from Hanska, where she taught years ago.

"We drove in tandem," Lambrecht said. "The visibility was so poor, we held our heads out the driver's door, looking for the centerline of the road. We stopped and cried when we got to the top of Camelsback Hill, we were so glad to get to New Ulm."

Lambrecht taught in Roseville for six years before transferring to District 88.

All three teachers earned their teaching degrees at Minnesota State University at Mankato.

Regarding educational system changes, they've seen them come, go and come back again.

"The color of the glitter changed," Sauers said. Sauers started teaching at Jefferson School, and in 1972 he became a 5th grade teacher at Washington. He's been there 32 years.

Most changes that came along were really nothing new.

"We realized that most of the new things that came along were already being done here, just in a different way," Macho said.

Lambrecht said the basic tenants of education are still the same.

Improved technology is among the biggest changes to learning. Today, parents can track their children's assignments and grades on a daily basis, thanks to on line computers.

It means more work for teachers and parents, and perhaps a bit less embarrassment for struggling students.

"You need be able to teach in a more interesting way now," Macho said. "Today's kids have a shorter attention span. You're battling television, movies and games. It keeps us on our toes."

Children want to be entertained, now more than ever, according to Lambrecht.

"Kids are kids. They haven't changed that much," Sauers said.

Sauers did say that the schools mirror society, and as society changes, those changes are reflected in the schools.

"Things we hear about happening on the East Coast or West Coast get here, eventually." he said. "The same things happen here -- maybe not as bad, but they get here."

Family dynamics are more complicated today than decades ago, according to Lambrecht. More families are fractured and blended than in the past because people are more mobile.

Retirement will be different for each of the three.

Lambrecht plans to spend more time gardening and visiting relatives in southeastern Minnesota.

Sauers said he will work part-time and do more fishing and golfing.

Macho plans to continue coaching hockey and drive the Zamboni (arena ice-resurfacing machine).