One of the retirees from AHS this year is Mrs.Votteler. Mrs.Votteler has been teaching for 29 years. Twenty-two of those years were spent at Algona High School and seven years were spent at North Kossuth.
After graduating high school, Votteler went straight to the University of Northern Iowa. Votteler then quit college for a while to marry and have kids. At age 27, Votteler went back to school at Iowa State University. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at age 30. Votteler got her master’s degree in multicategorical special education through Morningside College. Votteler also has an additional endorsement in special education and reading that allows her to teach at the high school level. Right after college, Votteler went to North Kossuth to teach for seven years. After that she came to Algona, where she has taught for 22 years.
Mrs. Votteler has impacted many lives throughout her time in education. She has a great rapport with students and thoroughly enjoys her job. Mrs. Votteler’s favorite quote is, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…I’ll always be with you,” from A.A. Milne, in Winne the Pooh.
Votteler says the first thing she will do when she retires is turn off all of her alarm clocks. She would like to go on more four wheeling trips. Another thing Votteler wants to do is garden. She plans to take a master gardening class through ISU extension.
We are all very grateful for Mrs. Votteler. She will be greatly missed next year. Make sure you wish her farewell before the end of the year.