Where are They Now?? The History of Former Teachers of Pierce Public Schools
Retiree Anne Muhs
By Addisyn Ludden
In a career that spanned over 31 at Pierce High School, Anne Muhs taught high school and junior high English and journalism.
“I was yearbook advisor and taught some drama and even one year of physical education,” Muhs exclaimed.
Before teaching in Pierce, her career began in St. Paul in 1970. She then taught for nine years at Grand Island Northwest, a year in Plainview, and then she and her husband moved to Pierce. In total, she taught for 43 years. After retirement, Muhs substituted for 11 years, mostly here at Pierce.
“I got cancer in the middle of the twelfth year but I hope to do a bit more subbing when I'm well again,” she states.
Muhs and her husband Larry have three children and two grandchildren.
“Patrick is 55, lives in Omaha, and has a daughter, Miranda, who’s a mechanical engineer employed by Northvolt in Stockholm, Sweden. Pat’s son, Connor, is a tattoo artist in San Diego. Pat’s wife Amy teaches Spanish at Gretna High, and Patrick owns the Roofing Moose in Omaha. Our daughter Lisa is 51 and teaches first grade in Sioux Falls. Joshua is 46, lives in Marquette, is a construction foreman for Paschke Construction, and owns a.small business of his own, Muhs Made,” Muhs states.
Muhs loves teaching and still would like to continue to teach. When asked what she liked most about teaching, she expressed, “Mostly it was knowing and working with students, especially when they realized how well they had learned a skill—to see the satisfaction and confidence they gained in learning. Some honestly did not like English class, but they were fun, too. They learned things anyway, one of which was that we could enjoy each other’s company and the class without necessarily loving grammar or literature. Some surprised themselves with what they could do.”
Muhs made many memories, but an essay assignment really stuck with her. “One pleasant memory was from an essay assignment when, as an example, I read a really great essay from the previous year. I asked the students who they thought the author was. When I told them who had written it, they were surprised: “HE wrote that?” Often they kept their essays because they were really so good, and Pierce students won quite a few essay contests. (They still do, and scholarships too. Pierce is a great school!),” she says.
“Many times when I see adults who are my students, they will share memories, and that’s a joy for me. In junior English, for a few years, we memorized “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. It’s not very long, it’s not difficult to remember because it’s song-like, and once they got it learned, they liked it—which is the reason for memorizing it anyway. Many years later, some will still recite it when they see me,” Muhs states.
Muhs left a great impact on Pierce High and still plans on continuing her teaching by subbing.
Retirement of Larry Hoefener
By Alanna McKeown
Former fifth grade teacher, Larry Hoefener, retired in May of 2008. Through his 24 years of teaching Hoefener taught fifth grade and later in his retirement years substituted for teachers when they were gone from school and one semester served as the cooperating teacher for Tyler Legate in second grade.
“Kids are fun, especially subbing. Subbing was fun because I didn't have to really do too much,” Hoefener states. “Teaching wise, you had to set up and get ready. Subbing, you came in and there were not very many responsibilities.”
As a teacher he had to grade papers and go to meetings and boring stuff like that. Those two things were Hoefener’s two least favorite things about being a teacher.
When Hoefener taught the fifth grade the teachers broke it up into different subject areas. Usually he would do social studies, and the other teacher, or teachers would do science and English.
After retiring he came back and substituted for Tyler Legate when he started teaching. Legate states, “Larry was a good man. He taught me a lot about how to manage a classroom, and he helped me with how to plan everything. We both share a love for sports, so we can talk a lot about sports.”
Now that Hoefener is retired, he has traveled to Europe, London, and Paris. Other than traveling, he likes to take care of his lawn and go golfing.
If people wanted to find him they could look for him at the Pierce golf course or at morning coffee.
Mrs. Fleecs’s Retirement
By Chloe Bernhardt
Brenda Fleecs, who will always be remembered for her history day projects she had seniors complete, retired in 2020. She was a teacher for a total of 32 years. Fleecs taught social studies, which was mostly government, history, and psychology. She was also a physical education teacher for a little bit of her career.
Fleecs’s favorite thing about teaching was working with the students and seeing their successes and growth over the years. She also enjoyed history day and coaching the junior high girls basketball team.
Melissa Sirek, who also coached girls basketball at the same time as Fleecs comments, “Something I admired about working with her was she enjoyed working with the girls, and she always had a positive attitude with them. I just really enjoyed coaching with her because she was always fun and in a good mood.”
“My least favorite thing about teaching was doing all the paperwork that took time away from actual teaching and working with students.”
Fleecs now has a full time job at Johansen’s Greenhouse west of Norfolk.
Retiree: Marjorie Weber
By Brynn Schwartz
Marjorie Weber was an elementary teacher for first and second grade at Pierce elementary where she taught for 26 years.
Her favorite part about being a teacher was being able to watch the first graders pick up books and start reading and watching them have fun while they were young. Weber enjoyed watching them learn something new every day.
“Mrs. Weber was a very kind teacher, we always had fun in her class. Even though I don’t remember much, I know she made sure we caught on with what she was teaching,” Rodney Schwartz, a student of Marj Weber said.
Weber is now retired and continues to do what she loves.
“My daughter tells me I don’t know how to say no,” Weber states.
This is because she is now very busy and involved in many organizations. She is involved in Women’s Connection, which is a women's group that can connect around common interests, empower each other to thrive, and stick together as they travel through the stuff of life, no matter what comes their way. She’s also on the board of the senior center where she plays bridge, a card game, twice a month. Weber also takes part in a circle group at her church. Weber goes on to state she enjoys being in a lot of organizations because it keeps her going and overall she gets to continue to connect with many people.
Flash Back to Nancy Deuel Back in the Classroom
By Naomi sullivan
Nancy Deuel was a home economics teacher and later started working in elementary education, and she finished her teaching career at Pierce elementary teaching kindergarten.
Deuel was inspired to be a teacher because when she was in fourth grade a certain teacher took interest in her. This teacher helped her though many classes, and this inspired her.
A role model of Deuel’s was her older sister who was completely blind and got her teaching degree. This inspired Deuel because despite her sister's disability, she still did what inspired her and never gave up on her dreams.
Deuel went to Seward High School and graduated in 1971, and moving on from high school, she attended University of Nebraska at Lincoln and graduated in 1975. Deuel was also one of the first women in her family to attend college. Deuel did not actually always know she wanted to be a teacher; she originally wanted to be an airline attendant. Later in life she realized teaching came naturally to her, and it was her calling to inspire younger generations in their education.
“You can be silly with younger kids, and they knew that that was who I was. Younger kids are also easily motivated to learn and always curious to expand their knowledge. I always tried to involve music and movement into my teaching,” Deuel said.
Deuel’s fondest memories of being in education are the smiles that are put on their faces, and the rewards after being gone from education are seeing former students and seeing their accomplishments.
Deuel realized it was time to retire when the curriculum she taught was being changed drastically. Another reason for retirement was in 2009 when she had broken her leg in three different places. Changes from when Deuel was teaching to now would be that the emphasis on data and scoring is the main concern for most schools due to the new curriculum.
Deuel continues to sub for all grades and most schools around the district. In her free time now she is redoing her house, and that has taken up a year of her time so far. Deuel has been to Europe twice since she has retired and has also been to the holy land, and many different states here in the U.S.
Teaching habits that have been instilled in her everyday life includes planning her day out, staying disciplined, having time management and the desire to keep learning.
Where are they now?
By Cameron Kuehler
Marcia Luebbe is one of those teachers students remember for their whole life. After teaching at Pierce for just 32 years, she retired in 2012.
Marcia explains it was not her choice to retire but instead the school had to let her go due to major budget cuts. She feels like she still had a lot to bring to the school with her teaching, and it was hard to let it go.
Ever since she stepped away from the classroom, Marcia has gotten herself into volunteering. She started helping at the Orphan Grain Train, which collects food and supplies for people in need. She also loves to spend time with grandkids, doing things that remind her of her teaching days. In addition she does a lot of cleaning to help pass some time.
Along with many retired teachers, the thing Marcia misses the most about teaching is seeing the kids. She loved the energy the children brought to the room.
Amy Chambers taught with Marcia and had nothing but good things to say about her. “She was always a fun and bubbly person and loved her job everyday,” Chambers says.
Marcia states that her favorite thing to teach in school was phonics, math and reading.
“My favorite project that I always did was a Little House on the Prairie quilt book,” states Marcia. She explains they made a book of memories and quilted fabric together to make the cover.
“Surprisingly enough, the boys always seemed to be the best stitchers,” Marcia exclaims.
Marcia was a great teacher that will be remembered for her great teaching by many students. We thank her for her 32 years of teaching.
Where are they now: Steve Schwartz?
By Cameron Kuehler
Steve Schwartz taught at Pierce Elementary School for 33 years, and he taught sixth grade from 1973-2006.
Schwartz went to high school at Elkhorn Valley. The last class he taught graduated in 2012.
His favorite part about teaching was seeing the kids he taught grown up and graduated.
His favorite colleague teaching at Pierce was Eva Heckens, another sixth grade teacher.
After retiring, in order to keep himself busy, he did a lot of fishing. He also spent a lot of time cutting wood for his two sons. “I have been watching a lot of television,” Schwartz chuckled when asked what he has been doing recently to pass time.
Schwartz states one of the reasons he left teaching was the changes in state standards.
His favorite part about teaching was the interactions with the kids but his least favorite part was disciplining them.
Jeremy McKeown, a former student taught by Schwartz, says, “He was strict, but he was a good teacher.”
Schwartz misses seeing the kids while they are growing up but he is keeping himself busy and finding ways to pass the time.
Where are they now?
By Cameron Kuehler
Starting out in York, Nebraska, Connie Jessen has had quite the journey.
She went to St. Joseph Catholic School in York for three years before graduating from York High. After high school, she jumped right into teaching around 1986 or 1987, and she did not stop until her retirement in 2014, which means it has been ten years since she left the classroom.
Even now, Connie still dreams about being back in the classroom and really misses her students. These days, Connie enjoys spending time with her six grandkids, three of whom live in Lincoln and the other three in Norfolk. She tries to go to every one of her grandchildren’s sports events and musical activities. She believes it is super important to stay connected with kids to avoid feeling lonely in retirement.
For Connie, the best part of teaching was the music. She loved seeing the joy on her students’ faces after concerts. Those moments, where everyone shared in the excitement, were really special to her. Watching her students grow and improve in their musical abilities brought her a lot of happiness.She talked about how tough it was to adjust to retirement, especially after losing her spouse in a car accident. To cope, she got involved in music again, joining a chamber choir and her church choir. While some people might look forward to the day they get to retire, Connie dreaded that day her whole career.
Connie remembers telling her students, “I am graduating with you this year.”
One of her favorite colleagues is Mike Sindt. He started as a newbie and became an amazing teacher. Connie didn’t have just one favorite coworker, but she really admired how Sindt grew over the years and the respect they developed for each other. She explains, “I watched come in as just a kid, I mean, he was just fresh out of college, and I have so much respect for him.”
“She had a really big heart and cared about each and every one of her students,” Sindt states.
“Like that man once said, if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life,” Connie says excitedly.
We thank Connie for not just her years of teaching at Pierce but also the impact she had on the students she taught.
Where are They Now
By Jessa Kraft
Dan Navrkal started as the Superintendent of Pierce High in 1997. He governed the school for 14 years before he stepped down; He retired fully from education on June 30, 2011.
Navrkal first went to the Army for three years, before attending college. When he graduated, he moved up the ranks, working as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.
Navrkal now resides near Plattsmouth on Beaver Lake and has 13 grandchildren to spend time with on the lake.
“He is a good guy,” high school principal, Mark Brahmer, stated in his usual wise tone. Brahmer worked with Narkval all of the 14 years he was at Pierce.
Since his retirement, Navrkal has had many fun experiences, including a 45-day trip with a motor home in which he took his mother and family across the United States.
In his free time, he enjoys boating and spending time on the lake.
“We’ve always been lake people and boaters,” Navrkal said.
He remarked he misses the kids and the people he interacted with every day here in Pierce. Some of Navrkal’s fondest memories about his job were watching the kids grow and pass through to college or wherever they went next. He also treasured watching the kids succeed in all their activities, such as athletics, choir, robotics, and speech.
One thing that brought him joy was, “When I was having a tough day…I would go down to the elementary school during lunch and recess and interact with the kids, and it always brought joy back to what was going on with school.”
In total, he was in the education field for 31 years. Navrkal advises the teachers and students to “enjoy it because it goes by fast.”
