Former students weigh in on Karen Carayiannis

We asked several former students for their thoughts on Karen Carayiannis’ retirement.

Here’s what they said.

Kristina Webb Carson: “Where do I start? 30 years ago I was blessed to meet Mrs. C in first grade. Our friendship began when we discovered we had the same birthday. Through the years Mrs Carayiannis has been an amazing mentor. I helped in her classroom as a junior and senior in high school, hoping to be a first-grade teacher myself. I attended ACC and changed my career path to dental hygiene. She allowed me to teach children’s dental health month in her classroom for many years. We always caught up with each other at the South High Marathon Dance, where she continued to connect with her students. There aren't too many teachers out there that have touched lives like Mrs C. I hope she enjoys every minute of her deserved retirement!”

Rita Debnam: “I was fortunate to be in the first class where Karen Carayiannis (nee Schluter) taught. She was the student teacher in my 3rd grade class with Mrs. Shanahan. From the very first, she had an enthusiasm and smile that were both contagious! She certainly made learning fun and all of the students loved her. After all of these years Karen has never forgotten me. No matter when or where we would run into each other, I always got a hug. Her love for teaching and general care for all of her students will be missed in the school system. She was a true gem among teachers.”

Jackie Helwig Whelden: “I had her for 3rd grade, the beginning of her teaching career, I'm figuring 1969. I was shy and she was so nurturing and loving. She gave each child respect. She was in control in a quiet, peaceful way. Always believing in each student. She taught us some Spanish and I still remember to this day. Como esta usted (how are you today), muy burn gracias (very fine thank you). I went into teaching because of her. As a teenager I would babysit her daughter Elizabeth. She has always held a special place and connection in my heart!”

Laurie Pratt LaFountain: “I had her in her very first year of teaching. I knew her as Miss Schluter. She remains to this day my favorite teacher. I fell so in love with her. She was young and beautiful and kind and funny! When we went out for recess I would stand at the door with her and cling to her rather than go out on the playground. She would finally shoo me off to play. Poor woman couldn’t get a moment to herself! I can still hear and see her reading Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little to us. I was mesmerized. She brought in goose eggs to see if they would hatch. One didn’t and she let me take it home. I was devastated when my mother said I had to throw it out after a few days at home. She gave every student the book Twas The Night Before Christmas as a gift. I’d never received a gift from a teacher before that, nor after that. She let us make many food items, I remember homemade applesauce in particular. And she brought salmon in to let us try. I’d never had it before and loved it, so my dad started getting some for home. My brother Tim had her the following year and he was just as smitten by her as I was. But you know he had that little twinkle going even back then, and I think he became her favorite student. I didn’t know she was finally retiring. I’ll bet this virus helped her make the decision. I know I’ll be able to give her a hug at Hannaford soon, that’s where I tend to bump into her!”

Bernadette Zawistowski: “She was a dream as a teacher and friend. Never made us kids less than. We all mattered as a person. A wonderful lady inside an out!”

Brycen Nardone: “Mrs. C was my first grade teacher and would come to have a pretty huge impact on my life. Considering the fact that I was her student almost 25 years ago, it's pretty incredible and speaks to the type of teacher she is that I am still in contact with her today. For me, Mrs. C is the type of teacher we all strive to be. Caring and compassionate, while still holding students accountable. She always knew how to make learning fun. To this day, I will always remember learning facts about the presidents while being introduced to currency and the absolute honor it was to be chosen to climb up on the counter-top (using the safety step-stool) and put a tally mark for the number of days we had been in school or recording the weather on our class weather tracker. Not to mention, we had baby chicks in our classroom (I'm pretty sure she does this every year)! Memories like those are what influenced me to become a teacher. She showed me how important the role of a teacher is and how you can make a profound impact on a child's life just by being there, encouraging them to get excited about learning, and looking forward to each day. Her impact would extend beyond the classroom for me. When I was in elementary school, my sister and I participated in an after school program called ‘Banana-Splits’ and Mrs. C was in charge of the program. This program supported students, like my sister and I who came from divorced families. Though today so many students have this experience, at this time, my sister and I were among only a few students that came from this type of family. I remember, despite the purpose of the club being not such a positive thing, really looking forward to each Thursday when we would meet. Mrs. C's impact here helped to make me feel accepted, loved, and most importantly as a 5/6 year old, that my parents divorce wasn't my fault. I will be forever grateful for the role she played in this for me. When I was getting my teaching license (I teach 6-8 Social Studies & Math at Hartford Memorial Middle School in Vermont). I spent some time in her class, observing and learning. Much of what I learned during those observations I use daily. The best piece of advice she gave me was to not be afraid to admit when something isn't working out the way you anticipated, like a lesson or instruction Even the best teachers in the world make mistakes. What matters is that you recognize the issue, own it, and move on/try something new. She was an amazing teacher and I consider myself pretty lucky that I can say I had her as a teacher.”

Steve Butterfield: “I was in her first 3rd grade class about 50 years ago at Harrison Avenue. What I can tell you is that Ms. Schluter, as she was known in those days, was and still is the best teacher I have ever had. I must confess I had a huge crush on her back then. In the winter my dad would flood the backyard and we would have a skating party and the Butterfield kids could each invite two friends. I invited my buddy Steve Washburn and Ms. Schluter and she came. She was so cool! She skated with everyone and when we went inside for Hot Chocolate and a movie (Sammy the Way Out Seal) she even sat on the ground with Steve and myself. Now that is making an impression. I think that she met John Carayiannis at our party so I alway said I set her up with John! At least I like to think I had something to do with it!”