This year, CTE teacher Laura Belter is retiring. She has worked at Morton for almost 23 years and has taught Business in the Health/Business Partnership Academy, Keyboarding, Consumer Ed., Computer Applications 1 & 2 (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access), Business Law, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, teaching Accounting, Financial Accounting, Accounting 3 Web 1, 2 & 3, and a relatively new course called Digital Literacy. During this time, she was also the Assistant and then the Head Coach for the girls bowling team. I interviewed her before her retirement at the end of the year.

What has been your favorite memory at Morton?

There are so many favorite memories: laughing and forming lasting bonds with faculty during lunch in the cafeteria or our prep periods; watching students I’ve taught for three years graduate—even if it was in unlikely locations, like the Race Track; seeing graduates come back and tell me what they are doing after high school; seeing students smile and their eyes light up with they write code and the program works or solve a complex accounting problem; making lasting friends; too many favorite memories to list.

How do you feel about this school year?

Part of being an adult is adapting and being flexible, but I’m not sure all of our students were prepared for the added responsibility of working online. Many students are used to teachers seeking them out and helping them complete/understand work. With online learning, I can’t see what you’re doing unless you share your screen or turn in/don’t turn in work. Without having the personal connection teachers and students develop in person, I’ve often been left wondering how I can reach students that aren’t succeeding? Is there something I can do that I’m not doing? Those types of questions.

I guess it’s a mixed bag. Part of me is sad I didn’t get to know my 1st level students like I know my 2nd and 3rd level students. Part of me is proud that so many were successful with online learning, even if they weren’t face-to-face with me.

What are your plans or what do you plan on doing once you leave?

I need to get my knees replaced, while I’m not looking forward to the surgery, it’s necessary for me to be able to walk and do the things I enjoy doing in my spare time. Provided the pandemic cooperates, I plan on enjoying Chicago summer and going to as many festivals and outdoor events as possible. Usually, I travel during the summer because of our school year, but I plan to reverse my travel times. Travel in winter and stay home in summer. After the 1st knee surgery, plan to travel to the U.S. this winter. I have friends and family that live in Germany planning a trip to Florida, so I will see them. Maybe check out Vegas, Arizona, San Diego—other warm climates during the winter months. Once travel restrictions are lifted, I hope to get back to Europe to continue my wandering around while visiting family and friends that live there. Just planning the first couple of years, who knows what I may want to do when 2023 comes around!