MILWAUKEE — Byron Kilbourn Elementary School has a unique distinction. The Milwaukee Public School has 11 teachers who all started their careers at least 20 years ago and never left.
Christine LaMarre has been teaching at Kilbourn School for over 30 years. She said a lot has changed since she started teaching.
“We had typewriters basically, back in the day, you know. With all of the computers and the children with the technology, it’s really changed a lot,” said LaMarre.
LaMarre said she and the other 10 teachers with the long tenures have stayed because they love the school, the community and each other.
LaMarre said she is retiring at the end of this school year. She said she’ll miss her longtime friends.
“We’re very close. Most of us started at the same time, so we help each other a lot in different situations and it’s just like my second family,” said LaMarre.
LaMarre said since she started teaching, she has taught the kids and even grandchildren of some of her students. She said she is sad to leave but is excited about the next chapter in her life.
“I’m going to work with animals, I love animals, I love flowers, I am going to work in my garden, volunteer, I would like to do some traveling with my husband and see more of my children,” said LaMarre.
The list of longtime teachers at Byron Kilbourn Elementary School:
Sharon Redel- 37 years
Roziland Davis- 34 years
Sherita Kostuck- 34 years
Stephanie Baade- 33 years
Christine LaMarre- 30.7 years
Tiffany Dupree-Cain- 28 years
Sherise Randolph- 27 years
Kathleen Bruesewitz- 25 years
Anthony McDaniels- 23 years
Mark Schmidt- 22 years
Ailda Harris- 20 years