Three Linn-Mar teachers retire after successful careers
by Robyn Ireland [email protected] · June 4th, 2020


It's the ending of a school year unlike any other in history, due to the novel coronavirus. And for three teachers in the Linn-Mar District, it's the ending of their teaching careers, as well: Kim Fette will be leaving Novak Elementary, Doug Greene will be missed at Excelsior Middle School, and Teresa Bair is retiring from the high school.

Fette has taught for the past 31 years, all at Novak. She started with the sixth grade when the building housed the fifth and sixth graders; then moved to teaching third grade after the kindergarten through fourth graders were there; and finally settled into working with fifth graders for the past 21 years, as that age was included at Novak. Greene has been at Excelsior since 2013, as a support teacher. He has worked with sixth, seventh and eighth grade students, and has been a middle school educator for 40 years. At the high school, Bair has spent the past seven years teaching physical education and health, as well as being the head volleyball coach. Before that, she taught at Tripoli for 25 years (Kindergarten through seventh grade physical education and was head volleyball coach) and was the head volleyball coach at Loras College for seven years. In total, she has spent 39 years in education.

All three teachers say they will miss the relationships they've built with their students, but also with their co-workers and with the families.

"I'll miss the "light bulb" moments when the learning clicks for students," said Greene.

For Fette, it's seeing her pupils grow to believe in themselves and push themselves to succeed. Being creative and working to find new ways to help students learn, connect, and grow as students and as people are what Bair said she will miss the most

"Teaching was an extremely rewarding career. Every day was different. Every year was a fresh start. Seeing students walk into my classroom at the beginning of the year, and watching them walk out the door on the last day of school, more than ready for the next year, was so exciting," Fette said. "I hope that all my students that I have had over the years remember that I always greeted them every morning at our classroom door with a smile, a hug, and the belief that anything was possible. I also hope that they remember that kindness matters. One kind word can change someone's entire day.

Greene's legacy, he hopes, is that "my students remember that I believe in them." His plans include travel throughout Texas and California, visiting family and friends after he's no longer teaching. He also looks forward to playing music and being open to new opportunities, whatever that might bring.

Bair hopes her legacy is this: "That I cared. That our time spent together was all about the challenges we face in becoming the best version of ourselves. It was about helping students prepare for a productive, successful, and fulfilling journey....one that includes working hard, striving for goals, maintaining perspective, laughing and having fun, and being strong enough to handle adversity when it presents itself," she said. "I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve the Linn-Mar School district and am very proud of the students I have worked with and their accomplishments."

"Thank you to all of my colleagues and students, past and present, who made going to work at Novak rewarding and fun every day," Fette said. "It wasn't just a job...it was an awesome adventure."

For her next adventure, she intends to continue working with kids as a substitute teacher at Boulder Peak and Johnson Elementary in Cedar Rapids. Her daughter is a first grade teacher at that location. Spending time with family, especially her two grandsons, is also on the list. Bair's plans include spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling, and doing projects around the house that she's not had time for.