MHS’ last original teacher retires

claire LOWDER · justin SMALL

Having been a teacher since MHS first opened in 1993, Frau Kimberly Hotze, German teacher, is retiring after this school year. She is the last of MHS’ original staff to retire.

“I feel so honored to have been able to be part of the first group of teachers here,” Hotze said. “It’s been so rewarding to help set traditions along with other students and staff.”

MHS opened fall of 1993 to only freshmen and sophomores. Each year after another grade was added until the first seniors graduated in 1996.

Hotze’s favorite aspect of teaching has been the development of not only the school as a whole, but each individual student.

“I have students come back and visit years after they’ve graduated,” she said. “Past students will say hi if they see me, even if they only took my class for a year or so.”

And it’s not just the students’ change that astonishes Hotze. She said it’s been incredible to see the education system itself advance.

“I started out with a chalkboard and chalk and now I have a computer,” Hotze said.

One of the things she is most proud of is her opportunity to teach students about the language and culture of Germany. She said she hopes learning the new language could inspire them to expand their horizons and travel around the world.

“My goal is that they’ll want to travel anywhere, hopefully to a German-speaking country,” Hotze said.

Junior Greta Woitach, president of the German Club, said she enjoys working with Hotze to organize the club’s activities.

Woitach said Hotze always makes her passion for teaching the German language evident to her students.

“She really cares about her students and wants to make everyone learn German in the best way she can,” Woitach said.

Principal Dr. Steve Hankins has many fond memories of working with Hotze.

“I’ve been able to go in her classroom and just see the amazing work she has done with the German kids and the German program,” Dr. Hankins said.

Marc Tenholder, Class of 1996, was a student of Hotze’s his sophomore year, a student teacher his senior year and visited Hamburg, Germany, with her.

Tenholder said Hotze is one of the reasons he majored in German at Louisiana State University, along with his German background.

“Because of her and the influence of her, my family and I have a lot to be thankful for,” Tenholder said.

In the beginning of learning the language, Tenholder said he struggled but because of Hotze’s teaching, he learned to love it.

Tenholder said it’s hard to believe Hotze is retiring.

“I think it’s wonderful and good for her,” Tenholder said. “She deserves a happy retirement and I know that she will leave a legacy.” marquettemessenger.com