Fledgling summer comes in certain constants: sticky-sweet humidity, crumpled snow cones, unearthed and shrieking cicadas, swollen trees ripe with vividly aching green. As spring surrenders to sprinkler-soaked asphalt and drowning red sun, the high school embraces a yearly tradition—saying its final farewells to faculty leaving the Rolla 31 school system forever.
Connie Shoemaker is one such retiring faculty member. Chair of the Art Department and fine arts curriculum specialist for Rolla Public Schools’ grades K-12, Shoemaker has been dedicating her guidance and expertise to the district for decades.
Shoemaker began teaching in 1993 and moved to Rolla in 2005. A pillar of the Rolla community for twenty years now, Shoemaker has taught a rich variety of artistic courses.
“My favorite thing is definitely the students that like to learn, because I just love—absolutely love—teaching. My favorite course to teach is probably the Advanced 3D classes because those are the kids that are just there because they love art. They come in and they’re willing to learn all kinds of new things and continue to perfect the things they’re super interested in … They’re so passionate,” Shoemaker explained.
Though Shoemaker has experienced plenty of landmark moments throughout her long career, a few instances stand out above the rest.
“The most impactful part of my career would probably be going back and getting my master’s degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That was about seven years into my teaching career, and I was not really sure if that was something that I really wanted to do, but I found a program that was like an arts integration program for the fine arts. And I think it really benefited me to wait to get those [higher] degrees until later because I had so much experience to pull from and build off of,” Shoemaker said.
Community is one of the most significant cornerstones of education and career, and Shoemaker has received much support from her own communities through the years.
“My being a part of the Missouri Art Education Association was so impactful too because those other art teachers really helped me know what to teach and how to teach and learn new things. It’s fun to be around people who have the same attitude … It’s knowing that you have this group of people, you have a support system,” Shoemaker said.
Though the love of art and teaching can foster beautiful connections between faculty and students alike, there are certain aches and growing pains that come with such a career.
“The part I don’t like is all the other stuff that goes along with being a teacher. All the extra duties and the paperwork and the grading and the disciplinary stuff. I don’t care for any of that. I just want to teach art, and I don’t understand why anybody wouldn’t love to just make stuff,” Shoemaker said.
And on the greatest toll of her career, Shoemaker said, “Losing kids and the hurt that goes with that … that’s probably been one of the hardest parts about being a teacher.”
Now that summer is dawning, Shoemaker has set her mind on enjoying the freedom of retirement to its fullest.
“I plan to take a nap. Take the best nap ever. Just nap. I want to nap when I want. I want to go to the restroom when I want. Those are two very important things that they don’t tell you when you’re becoming a teacher,” Shoemaker said. “You get mentally tired from being a teacher eight hours a day. You don’t think about how many questions you answer a day.”
Shoemaker may be formally retiring from the high school, but she remains here to stay in the Rolla community.
“I’m definitely sad about [retiring], but I’m also excited to move out of town. I’m still gonna work part-time at S&T, so I’m still teaching art classes, just to a different group of kids. I’ll still be around Rolla,” Shoemaker assured.
Shoemaker left a few heartfelt words to linger inside the high school alongside the unfurling summer heat.
“Let it go. Don’t hang on to things … know when you can change. Make a difference, and know when just not to worry about it. That has probably been the thing I’ve learned the most. I have gotten so much more patient over the years,” Shoemaker said.
Reflecting on her past, Shoemaker is satisfied with her long and fruitful career in Rolla.
“I have really enjoyed being in Rolla. I’ve taught in some very small rural districts, and I’ve taught in some really big cities, and this place is just a really nice combination. It’s a nice middle ground. We don’t have the discipline problems like some of the other places I’ve seen. It’s very unique. I was really excited to be able to teach here for as long as I have. I’m definitely gonna miss the teachers here, the kids here, but I’m excited, like I said, for that next chapter. Because [Rolla] is a really great place.”