Two of the recently retired teachers, DiAnne Galm and David Burker, from the Catasauqua Area School District can boast long careers with the district.

Galm has been a fitness and wellness teacher in the district for 20 years.

She started at Sheckler Elementary School, moved to Catasauqua Middle School and finished her career at Catasauqua High School.

“The bonus to this is how I followed amazing groups of students through their journey from elementary school through high school. We grew up together,” Galm said.

Galm graduated with honors from East Stroudsburg University with a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education and then earned a master’s degree in educational technology from Wilkes University. She has been recognized by the state’s Department of Education as a State Keystone Technology Integrator.

Some of her favorite memories in the district include writing and receiving a Carol White Pep Grant, which awarded the district $150,000 to improve and build the health and fitness education program; being named a Keystone State Technology Star; and being part of the PA Leads Grant, which allowed her to work with other teachers to bring filmmaking opportunities to eighth-grade students.

She served as the assistant boys volleyball coach for four years and as the assistant girls coach for two years at Catasauqua High School.

While enjoying the bonds she cultivated moving from school to school, those transitions were also challenging for Galm.

“Each move meant starting over and developing new curriculum and procedures,” she admitted.

One of the hardest challenges for her was retiring itself.

“I tried to do it for three years, but I couldn’t leave my students. They kept talking me out of retiring and staying one more year. It was hard to leave this year, too, but it was time,” she said.

She will miss interacting with her students most.

“They kept me young, challenged me to be a better person and kept me learning new things,” Galm said.

To enjoy her retirement, Galm has moved to a newly built home in Ormond Beach, Fla. She is planning to work with a sea turtle rescue group while in the area.

Burker has been with the school district for 34 years.

He spent his first year teaching third grade and the remaining 33 years with the fourth grade at Sheckler Elementary School.

He stressed he will miss his students above all.

“I had the opportunity to work with great kids over the years. It is always nice running into a former student and learning about the career path they have chosen. Sometimes, I even receive an email from a student that I taught 30 years ago, checking in and letting me know where they are in life. It is very rewarding when they tell me that I was one of the many individuals that made a positive impact on them,” Burker said.

The collaboration between teachers and parents was always an important aspect of the teaching process for him.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with my students and their parents. I always looked at teaching as a team effort, all of us working together in the best interest of the child. I will miss that,” he reported.

He has gathered numerous fond memories over his decades with the school district. He looks back fondly on all of the positive experiences they have shared with the Catasauqua and North Catasauqua fire departments.

“These men and women have always been there to assist our students. Whether it was the fourth-grade egg drop, fire prevention activities or leading our annual Halloween parade, they were, and continue to be, there for us,” Burker remembered.

He also happily remembers the musical programs they put on for the community. Under the direction of Bill Nothstein and Ron DeMaio, the faculty, administration and support staff would practice for months on end to put on the best performance they could. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from these shows would go toward helping a child in the district who was battling a life-threatening illness to help offset medical expenses.

“When I think back, I am reminded of how our faculty was an extended family,” he reflected.

Burker found it challenging to constantly be adapting the curriculum to meet the standards set by the state.

“I am all for accountability; however, I was never a big fan of administering high-stakes testing to 9- and 10-year-olds. Hopefully, in the future, things will change,” Burker admitted.

He is still planning on being present and involved with the school district in his retirement.

“Kyle Rusnock, the head cross-country and track coach, has invited me back to be his assistant. Mark Seremula, the girls basketball coach, invited me back to be part of his program as well. I have a lot of respect for these two guys, and I am looking forward to working with them and the kids,” Burker said.

He will also assist at St. Luke’s Hospital as a courier a few days a week. Burker is looking at other opportunities, which will allow him to give back to the community.

He is looking forward to seeing and catching up with many of his retired friends, as well as visiting with his son who lives in Pittsburgh.

Burker thanked two people who helped make all this happen. One was Ed Bruchak, former principal at Sheckler Elementary School, who hired Burker those many years ago.

The other is his wife, Claudette.

“She has always been there to support me. As any coach will tell you, due to the time commitment, sacrifices are made, but she has always been, and continues to be, there,” he said.

The following teachers also retired from the school district at the conclusion of the 2017-18 school year: Barbara Kennedy, Jill Wismer, Mary Anne Haney and Janet Schmitt. They did not respond by press time.