Pair of LCC teachers are sailing off into retirement

LAUREL — Two veteran local teachers are retiring after a combined 61 years in education.

They have always believed in the philosophy esoupsed by Nelson Mandella — “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Sandy Murphy and Audrea Klassen have spent their entire professional lives equipping students to change the world.

Murphy wanted to be a teacher ever since she was in the first grade.

Her first grade teacher, Dee Matthiessen, made learning fun, believed in every student’s potential, and insured that every student felt known and loved.

She graduated high school from South Sioux City High School and pursued her education degree at University of South Dakota. She also earned a degree at Wayne State College.

Murphy’s first teaching job was in 1993 at District 52, a two-room Kindergarten through eighth grade country school between Pender and Wake field. She taught the Kindergarten through third grade section.

In 1995, she began teaching second grade at Coleridge Community School. At one point she was teaching first and second grades and eventually became the Kindergarten teacher.

In 2007, Murphy was appointed the Director of the brand new Pre-Kindergarten program at Laurel-Concord School, which also included the children from Coleridge. She has been there ever since.

Upon announcement of her retirement, Murphy took some time to reflect on her 27 years of teaching.

The highlight of her professional career was completing her Master’s Degree from Wayne State College.

Her favorite memories include meeting parents and families of students and developing life-long relationships.

“It has been a joy to see students go from preschool to graduation and beyond. I will sure miss my students and their families,” she said.

Sandy and her husband Brad have five children, and four grandchildren. During retirement, she plans to spend time with family and friends.

Audrea Klassen also retired from teaching this year.

Raised in a big family on a farm in Letcher, S.D., her love for teaching began when she had a job as a teacher’s aide.

Klassen graduated high school from Letcher Public School and received her teaching degree from Wayne State College.

She has been a teacher in Laurel since 1986. Initially, she taught third grade until moving to second grade where she has been since 2007.

“There are many things I will remember about my teaching years, but I will always remember and miss the smiles, the hugs, and the ‘a-ha’ moments on the students’ faces when they began to understand something,” she said. “I was lucky enough to work with dedicated and caring staff and colleagues throughout my time here.”

Klassen and her husband, Mark, have three sons and four grandchildren.

Retirement brings exciting opportunities for the couple to travel across the U.S.

She looks forward to spending more time with her children, and grandchildren. She is also excited to get her hands dirty in the garden and nurture her love for flowers.

In lieu of a retirement reception, LCC is encouraging cards of congratulations to be sent to the school, P.O. Box 8, Laurel NE 68745.