A Lifelong Teacher
Once an educator, always an educator. Such has been the case for Marion Pohlmann, a resident of Eastcastle Place retirement community in the North Point neighborhood of Milwaukee’s East Side. A high school German teacher for more than 30 years, Marion finds herself still teaching, 26 years after her official retirement.
Marion said that the decision to move to Eastcastle Place six years ago was an easy one. “My home in Bayside was on a large lot with 50 trees. I picked up every leaf and every single branch, and it got to be too much for me,” she recalled. “My husband and I had already looked here while he was still alive, and had really liked it. We looked at other places, but this was our favorite. It’s beautiful, warm and homelike.”
Marion earned her degree from University of Wisconsin in Madison and stayed in the area for several years afterward to teach high school German and Spanish. When her husband was accepted at Marquette University Medical School, the couple moved to Milwaukee. Marion got a job at Nicolet High School shortly after it opened its doors and then transferred to Whitefish Bay High School in 1964. She remained there for 27 years. “Altogether I taught full time and as a substitute for 35 years,” she said.
For the past five years, Marion has taught German to some of her fellow residents at Eastcastle Place. “A fellow resident who is a musician knew I formerly taught German. He asked if I’d help him with pronunciation for singing. I said, ‘sure.’ That started me teaching German to a half-dozen residents in my apartment. We have a lot of fun. I love to dramatize, so I will sometimes act out the word I’m teaching. We read children’s books and do fun activities.”
“The residents at Eastcastle Place really value their retirement years as an opportunity to pursue their hobbies as well as explore new interests,” said Bill Eason, director of sales and marketing at Eastcastle Place.
Marion said she takes great pride in the students’ lives that she impacted. “A former student is teaching German at a school on the south side and wants me to come and talk to his honors group. I have a couple of former students who majored in German and keep in touch with me. It’s been just ‘fun.’ That’s the only word for it. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Marion said that she’s been happy with her decision to move to Eastcastle Place. “I keep busy with activities, I’ve made good friends, and I love the area,” she said, adding that she’s glad she made the decision sooner rather than later. “When people wait too long they find it’s difficult to take advantage of all the amenities. “
Eastcastle Place is a Life Plan Community located on Milwaukee’s vibrant East Side. Eastcastle Place offers independent living, promoting an active and engaging lifestyle for seniors. The Health Center at Eastcastle Place provides assisted living, memory support, rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, thus ensuring complete continuing care for seniors. Eastcastle Place is managed by Life Care Services®. For additional information call 414-219-1398 or visit www.EastcastlePlace.com.