In 1973, two new teachers joined the staff at Trevor Grade School – Jan Christy (Sielski) and Dale Kolmos.
Jan Sielski
Jan Sielski recalls that her first assignment was to teach third grade in what is now the lap-top computer lab. However, during her thirty-six years at the school she also taught first, second, fourth and fifth grade students.
Some of her most memorable moments were the result of special projects. Making the cranberry the state fruit was just such a special occasion for Mrs. Sielski. Her Fifth grade students learned that Wisconsin had no designated state fruit and conducted research which resulted in AB679 becoming law on April 5, 2004. Mrs. Sielski still recalls the excitement when students presented the results of their research to legislative committee members in Madison and again later, when they were invited into the Governor’s Conference Room to be present when Governor Doyle signed the bill into law. She vividly remembers how energized students became when they realized that they could bring about change.
Mrs. Sielski is an avid American history fan, but realized a long time ago that history can be “dry”. She wanted students not just to learn about history, but to feel what it was actually like. This, in turn, led her into having students perform historical plays, readers’ theater, and even singing history-related songs. She discovered that “it gets kids up and moving around so that they are active learners. Kids retain more that way.” When former students return for a visit, she has been interested and amused to hear them recall the roles and characters they played and that they sang songs in social studies!
Planning the school’s Veterans Day and Memorial Day assemblies to pay tribute to veterans and active military personnel has been an added responsibility which she initiated and has continued for many years. This again stemmed from her interest in American history and her desire to keep students involved.
Mrs. Sielski has particularly enjoyed teaching the children of former students. “I have built really close relationships with so many people in the District that I really feel like a part of Trevor.” As for retiring from her impressive teaching career, Jan Sielski states, “It’s been a great career! I have enjoyed being with students; it keeps you young.”
Mrs. Sielski’s immediate plans include baby-sitting for her three-month-old grandson, Lennon (Joey’s son). She is also planning a wedding for daughter, Jenna in October and short trips in the midwest and eastern U.S. where she can visit historical places, of course. We wish her all the best and happy trails!
Dale Kolmos
Dale Kolmos recalls that for twenty years, out of his thirty-six years of teaching physical education and health, he taught in both Trevor and Wilmot Schools. The early years were quite difficult because Wilmot had no gym. Dale recalls driving students on the school bus to Holy Name to use their gym for physical education, eight times a day. (Since he was a licensed bus driver, he also drove the school bus on field trips and on class trips to St. Louis and Iowa.)
Meanwhile, at Trevor, the current cafeteria was the gym. Mr. Kolmos recalls trying to fit large classes with combined age groups into the small gym. He also remembers that his first annual physical education budget was $80.
Mr. Kolmos reports that during his first years of teaching, there were no interscholastic athletic teams or sports. As time went on, however, sports evolved from pick-up games to conference games and Mr. Kolmos coached many sports at Trevor and Wilmot. Nor were his other skills forgotten. Dale recalls a memorable basketball game in which he drove the bus to the game, coached the team, and refereed the game, as well.
For a time Dale coached after school at St. Joseph’s High School in Kenosha after teaching at Trevor during the day. He also coached minor league football in Kenosha and Racine and is proud to have played and coached for the Racine Raiders/Gladiators who won the national championship in 1983.
As a true professional, Dale Kolmos accepted additional responsibilities outside of physical education and sports. During the time when Trevor Grade School was involved in Accelerated Schools, Dale served as Cadre leader and was an active member of the Steering Committee. He still speaks with pride and enthusiasm about how much his Cadre accomplished to help improve the school’s learning environment and develop a plan for improvement.
When asked to compare current students to those he taught thirty-six years ago, Mr. Kolmos sees little difference. “Kids are kids. They still have the same problems, needs and wants. Students do question authority more, but that is sometimes a good thing because we have some people in our society who abuse their authority.”
Kolmos values competitive sports because they teach life skills such as problem-solving, learning how to get along and cooperate, share responsibility, and working together as a team. “These life skills are in short supply”, Dale regrets. “Kids don’t learn these skills any more.” And he has been persistent in attempting to nurture new generations of Milwaukee Brewer and Bucks fans by organizing numerous outings so that students can watch these teams play. (He even allows Cub fans to come along.) His fondest memory was an event which occurred several years ago when two of our school teams got to play a basketball game in the Bradley Center just prior to a Bucks game. “What an experience for those kids!”
Dale Kolmos’s role models were his father and his sixth and seventh grade teacher, Mr. Soul. His father taught him that if he finished everything, even when it was hard, he would come out all right. Mr. Soul encouraged and placed Dale into leadership roles which developed his self-confidence.
Like his teacher, Mr. Soul, Kolmos tries to build up each pupil’s self-confidence. “Sometimes its just the little things that you do every day that make their lives a little bit better.”
Dale Kolmos plans to travel during his retirement, see many Milwaukee Brewer games, and return to Trevor-Wilmot to do substitute teaching. Everyone will be glad to see him back!
