Maureen Brogni, Ann Farlee and Fern Funk have more than 100 years of combined teaching experience. The three retired at the end of the 2015-2016 school year.
Maureen Brogni began teaching at St. Gertrude Catholic School in Chicago. After coming to District 71 in 1987, she taught 2nd grade, kindergarten and 4th grade.
Brogni received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from National Louis University.
“Teaching has always been my passion,” she said. “I have enjoyed learning and growing with each class I have had the honor to instruct. The more I learned, the more I could share with my students.”
Brogni said she has been fortunate to have worked with outstanding teachers and staff throughout her career. “I will miss my colleagues, as well as the students and families I have touched over the years,” she said. “I will especially miss former students returning to school and sharing their memories of our time together and how I have made a difference in their life.”
Brogni expects to travel and spend time with family and friends. “I hope to continue to learn and grow. I am grateful to have had a wonderful career that I have loved from beginning to end. I am blessed!”
Ann Farlee worked at Culver for 29 years as a PE teacher and a drama teacher and has “hundreds” of memories from her time at the school. “When students achieve what they didn’t think possible. The funny things that kids said and did that left me laughing for days. Seeing what students eventually do with their lives. Sharing the years with such a good-humored and dedicated staff and administration. The first time I taught the child of a former student. And, it just keeps happening.”
Farlee said she will miss “everyone—the staff, administration and students. The improbable things that can happen. The energy of the day, the noise and music and my two coworkers who steady the ever-changing rhythm of the day. And I’ll miss the Fun Run and directing the school play.”
Farlee expects to do volunteer work, travel, “and enjoy life and the freedom of doing what I want or need to do at any time.” She may substitute teach as well.
Fern Funk began her career 44 years ago as a student teacher while on an exchange program in Bath, England. She taught for 18 years in Colorado before coming to Culver 25 years ago. She taught 1st and 2nd grades before getting a master’s degree in reading and becoming a K-8 reading specialist and interventionist.
“The role of an interventionist is to remediate small groups of students who are having difficulty in reading and/or math,” Funk explained. “Every year has been unique and fulfilling with different students, new programs and updated methods.”
She has accumulated “many, many great memories of working with students of all ages. Among them are activities of many varieties that encouraged reading and learning in engaging ways.”
Funk co-coordinated the Culver Spelling Bee for 25 years. She initiated a student publishing center and attended young authors conferences. She planned author visits, cosponsored Battle of the Books and wrote grants for artists in residence programs.
She said, “I will miss interacting with students and colleagues. I plan to spend more time exercising, reading, volunteering, and learning. I look forward to spending more time with family and friends.”