For 22 years, a Cleveland preschool room, with its walls bursting with colored shapes, alphabet banners and finger-painted masterpieces, has been Lynell Rohlfing’s world.
In it, she has read thousands of boldly illustrated storybooks, served bushels of Goldfish crackers and zipped up stacks of thick winter jackets.
She has wiped away tears, patched skinned knees and witnessed terrified toddlers transform into confident children ready to take on kindergarten. She has survived orange juice spills, glue emergencies and the eternal mystery of disappearing mittens.
But the trials and triumphs of being a preschool teacher culminated for Rohlfing at the end of this school year as she retired. With a reception in the elementary commons on May 22, students and staff recognized her two plus decades of dedication.
“You’ve touched a lot of lives,” said principal Scott Lusk. “You do mean so much to so many people, and it’s during such a foundational time of their lives, so thank you for everything you’ve done.”
While some of the students who started their academic careers in Rohlfing’s classroom have already gone on to do great things, her main goals were to ensure her students followed predictable daily routines, heard positive and validating words and had their feelings accepted.
“I just hope that all the children I have had have felt cared for and loved when they’ve been in my classroom.”
In her retirement, Rohlfing plans to relax, travel…the usual things, but she has five young grandsons, so her time spent caring for children won't end any time soon.
Lynell Rohlfing poses with some of the seniors who attended her preschool class. They are, from L-R, Max Esser, Alex Kortuem, Gavin Struck, Bode Bartell, Anna Kawatski-Klein, Judd Gibbs, David Draheim, Sierra McCabe, Carter Kern and Olivia Reinhardt.