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Mr. Brohm

This pandemic has taught us the value of socialization and the importance teachers play in the education of students. Therefore, when teachers retire they are deeply missed. Teachers have the ability to touch the lives of countless students throughout the years they spend in the pursuit of educating the next generation of students. After this unprecedented challenge, a few educators will be retiring- Mrs. Zika, Ms. McGuire, and Mr. Brohm. I had the chance to speak with each one about their journeys throughout their time at KHS.

Mr. Brohm

1. How long have you been working at KHS?

I will be retiring in August 2021, which is the start of my 49th year with the Kearny Board of Education.

2. What was your most memorable experience?

Generally speaking, working with the students and staff in the district has been a very enjoyable experience as we worked together to build a tech-savvy environment for the Kearny community.

3. Did the pandemic contribute to your retirement?

Although the pandemic has presented many challenges, it has not influenced my decision to retire earlier than desired – I had even considered retiring earlier but decided to stay until it appeared that most of the tech-related, pandemic issues were behind us.  We now have a fully integrated, one-to-one system, with every student and teacher having a web-enabled device.

4. Do you have plans to further develop your career once you move on from KHS?

I am looking forward to remaining active in the community, continuing to serve as a volunteer, where needed.

Mrs. Zika

1. How long have you been working at KHS and where did your passion develop?

Most of my adult life, I have been teaching at Kearny High School. I have taught Earth Science, Integrated Science. Practical Biology, Biology Lab, and Honors Biology Lab. This is the special place where I also met my biology and chemistry-teaching husband.

Ever since I was in elementary school, I always found myself defending the kid who was being bullied on the playground or tutoring and/or helping another student. This continued into middle school, high school, and well into my college years. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I decided I was going to be a biology teacher. When I entered college, my professor tried to persuade me to leave the teaching track and enter the biotechnology industry under his wing. I had to convince him that teaching was my absolute first choice, not my second choice. I wasn’t wavering from my position or strong opinion. 

2. What was your most memorable experience?

Some of my most memorable experiences are when my students make me laugh so hard that I would literally be in tears. I also really enjoy those “aha” moments when students finally get the answer after struggling to get the correct answer or when students understand a concept in an entirely different light. In fact, I recently started posting some of my student thank you notes on Facebook. You never truly know the impact that you have on a student until you thoroughly read his/her thank you note. Those I will always treasure. They will resonate with me forever. 

My most memorable moment was during a high school graduation speech. My former student Marco named several teachers that truly inspired him. He used symbolism to relate each teacher to a part of a car. He explained how the parts of the car are an integral part of its function and how each teacher played a role in leading him to success. I forget if he said I was the engine or the wheels but let me tell you something, I felt like a Lamborghini on that given night! Then, another former student Stephanie stated how she loved it when I played the song, “I Hope You Dance,” by Lee Ann Womack and dedicated it to all of my biology classes that day. Those students reminded me about how important it is to make a human connection with your students. 

3. Did the pandemic contribute to your retirement?

After speaking with my daughter’s dance teacher Miss Bonnie, we spoke about how this pandemic has prompted all of us to slow down and really reflect on our lives. It was as if we were all given a pause button. I have chosen to live a much simpler life, one that has more homeostasis within it. She mentioned that if she had to choose one dance move to sum up this past year, it would be a pivot turn. A pivot turn tends to be a sharp change in direction, keeping one foot in front while turning to the back. Sometimes it is hard not to get tangled up by your own two feet. This year has definitely been the year of the great pivot. We all need to prioritize what is important. We all need to change our direction and focus. 

Many people ask me why I am retiring five years earlier than I originally anticipated. There are a handful of reasons. Some of them are personal, professional, and some are for health reasons. On many days, I felt as though I was burning the candle on both ends. I was working seven days a week. The occupation and the demands upon it were becoming an all-consuming destructive passion. Ultimately, my goal is to retire when I am young enough and healthy enough to really enjoy it with my husband who is already retired from the Kearny Board of Education. Life doesn’t provide you with any guarantees. 

4. What would your last words at KHS be?

In closing, Kearny High School is a very special place. The camaraderie between the students and the teachers is very unique. You won’t find this everywhere. I felt it in all of my two hundred six bones from the moment I entered the building twenty-seven years ago. This is what got me through the really tough times. It has been a truly memorable school year, one that I will never forget. Even though my mind is totally exhausted, my heart is so full. Despite being an extremely challenging year, the accomplishments of our students and teachers should be applauded and always remembered as we reflect upon our future. 

Mrs. Marques

1. How long have you been at KHS?

I have been teaching at KHS for 26 years. I actually graduated from KHS in 1976 (and took this dental assisting class!) and then became a teacher there shortly after at age 23. When my daughter was born in 1990, I took a break from teaching for 14 years, and returned in 2004.

2. What was your most memorable experience?

The funniest memory I have is one day, I was teaching a lesson in class, and all of the sudden one of my students screamed “There is a mouse in here” and jumped on her desk. Within seconds, we were all on our desks, laughing and afraid of a little mouse!

3. Did the pandemic contribute to your retirement?

Sort of (it actually delayed it!) I had been thinking about when I was going to retire for some time prior to the pandemic, originally planning to retire in 2020. When the pandemic hit, I didn’t really want to leave on a virtual note so decided to wait another year – I am so glad I am back in the school and have met some of my students before my time at KHS comes to an end! 

4. Do you have any plans to continue working with students in the future?

I am still figuring that out but will likely plan to continue to teach CPR.

Ms. McGuire

1. How long have you been working at KHS?

I have been working as a history teacher for esl and honors from 1988 to 2002, so 14 years. After that I continued my career as a counselor since 2002 and have had the pleasure of doing so for 19 years.

2. What was your most memorable experience?

My most memorable experience is when one of my students who suffered from severe mental issues since freshman year graduated. My student was hospitalized throughout high school due to her health and it was a long road for all of us and we did our best to support her. Seeing her graduation was a milestone for her and significant to me as I watched her graduate after all the tribulations she experienced.

3. Did the pandemic contribute to your retirement?

No, the pandemic didn’t contribute to my retirement.

4. Do you have any plans to continue working with students in the future?

I have loved working in KHS, loved the students, and truly enjoyed coming here every day. It felt like it was a gift that I got to do what I loved every time I came. I plan on continuing to teach and would like to spend time working with the children in my community.

Mr. Bird

1. How long have you been working at KHS?

I have worked at Kearny for 27 years.

2. What was your most memorable experience?

My most memorable experiences are the different class discussions especially when they would want to discuss some social issues of the day. They would say “can we have a Friday discussion about…”. Kearny has been a very good experience for me over the years and two of my daughters teach here also.

3. Did the pandemic contribute to your retirement?

The pandemic had nothing to do with my plan to retire.

4. Do you have any plans to continue working with students in the future?

I do not see myself working with young people in the future other than my grandchild.