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Virgie Contreras and Maria Ybarra
Let’s go back in time.
It was 1974 and two SHS graduates, Virgie Contreras and Maria Ybarra, returned home with their teaching degrees and began their careers educating at least two generations of Panthers. More than likely in those early years of teaching they would of put on their polyester bell bottoms and madras top or maybe a cute shirt dress. Their morning routine may have included listening to the top hits of the year, “I Shot the Sheriff” by Eric Clapton or “Band on the Run” by Paul McCartney on their AM/FM Radio.
Forty-two years later their wardrobes have changed quite a bit. The challenges in the classrooms are much different than those early years.
On May 27, 2016, these two longtime teachers said good bye to their final class at John F. Kennedy Elementary School.
Virgie Contreras graduated from Superior High School in 1969. She attributed her interest in the teaching profession to her physical education teacher, Mrs. Evelyn Pack. When she started with the school district she was the Physical Education teacher at Roosevelt Junior High. After a few years she left the PE program to teach first grade at the elementary school. She also coached several high school girls sports during her teaching career.
Maria Ybarra, graduated from Superior High School in 1970. She remembers always wanting to be a teacher. “I remember always staying after class to help my teachers,” she said. In her 42 years, she has always taught either first or second grade.
Forty-two years of teaching is not for the faint of heart. These two teachers taught the children of their own classmates and eventually taught the grandchildren of many of their classmates, often times teaching an entire family of brothers and sisters. It is a different kind teaching dynamic when you teach in a small community; there is an intimacy between students and their teachers. Both recalled how many times when their students would see them shopping in the Valley or out to dinner – it was a big shock to the student. “It was like they thought we only lived at the school and never left,” both explained.
“One student, Ronald Torrio used to tell me, ‘Teacher, one day I am going to buy your house. It’s so pretty.’ Even today, that student still comes up to me and says that,” said Maria.
The advantages of the smaller school and community is those close relationships, seeing students bond together and being able to see those same elementary students become successful students in junior high and high school and then as adults.
They taught through the booms and the busts of the community, numerous principals and superintendents and board members over their 42-year teaching careers. The equipment in their classrooms changed from chalkboards and chalk, intercoms and record players to computers in their classrooms and smart boards. The one piece of technology they appreciated the most was the installation of telephones into each classroom versus the use of the intercom, which helped lessen classroom distractions. Both shared how in the early days of their teaching careers often the secretaries would scold the teachers and kind of ran the school. Over the years that changed and now there is more of a teamwork approach they both said, where the entire staff is usually involved in student success and school projects.
It wasn’t just the tools in the classroom that changed over the years. They saw changes from standardized testing and technology to the changes in parental expectations and child behavior.
“Now days teachers need more education in counseling children. We learned as went how to work through some of the emotional needs of students, but today it seems kids need more counseling support from their teachers,” explained Virgie.
“The last five years the behavior challenges have increased and the past year was the most challenging,” added Ybarra. “I am very thankful for the support and guidance that Mr. Ramirez provided us.”
The early days of the career were some of the best they explained, classes were smaller, there was more parent involvement and students were more respectful.
Their advice to new teachers and those considering a teaching career: “Have patience and dedication,” they both said. “Do it because you love kids and then marry a doctor or lawyer,” said Maria. They both shared their experiences with the lower salaries of teachers and how it is difficult for new teachers to earn a truly livable wage in today’s economy. “The legislature must start putting money into the schools and teacher salaries to keep up with living costs,” said Virgie.
As they loaded up their cars with years of gifts from students and their personal belongings, they both said they are looking forward to their retirements but will miss the socializing with their colleagues and staff at the school. Mostly, though, they will miss the students.
Maria is looking forward to traveling with close friends and her cousin and having more time to spend with her grandchildren since her grandchildren are in the Valley she has missed many of their school events; she is looking forward to being able to participate more.
Virgie is also looking forward to spending more time with her family and working on projects at home.
We commend these two great teachers for their service to the children of Superior and wish them the best of luck in their retirement.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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