This year will be the last year Mr. Kunde is teaching. He’s taught history classes plus sociology and economics for 26 years. He was also the head wrestling coach, bass fishing coach, and extra duty supervisor. Kunde is loved by many students, but he’s loved by his colleagues just as much.
Mrs. Cekander has been working with Kunde for what she says feels forever, “FOREVER! Or at least it feels like it! I started teaching at MHS in 1997, and Mr. Kunde joined the MHS staff in 2000 so we have been teaching together for 26 years. How in the heck have I survived this long?!”
Throughout the years, Kunde has built many memories, some being more favorable than others. Cekander was able to reminisce on her personal favorite memory with her coworker. “The memory I will most cherish with Mr. Kunde…when I lost my son-in-law Kyle, my friend Doug checked on me and supported me each day at school. On one of the many days I was struggling and sad, he shared a Bible verse with me as I grieved. Years later, these beautiful words continue to guide me on those hard days as my family moves forward. And even when Mr. Kunde is not my neighbor next door, I will never forget him when I remember these meaningful words: ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own’ (Matthew 6:34).”
Although Mrs. Cekander and Mr. Kunde have an admired relationship, another person close to Kunde is Dr. Hendrickson. They have worked together for 9 years. Just like Cekander, she will miss him next year; “I will miss having the best classroom neighbor ever, and I will miss our daily hallway morning talks.”
Kunde, himself, is of course excited for his retirement, “Mostly it’s the ability to be in control of your own schedule. To wake up in the morning and say ‘today would be a good day to enjoy time outdoors’ or ‘today is the kind of day I’m going to crawl back under the covers and no one expects me to be anywhere at this certain time.’ I think this could be called ‘Freedom.’ I’m looking forward to personal freedom.”
However, retirement isn’t always easy. “Teachers don’t go into this profession for the money…they teach because they love helping students grow and succeed. I’ve always come to work not thinking of it as work, but as something I truly enjoy. A big part of that is the people. My colleagues have been incredible. We constantly share ideas, support one another, and serve as a sounding board for both challenges and successes. I will deeply miss those daily interactions and relationships. I know life will feel different without that built-in community. That said, retirement brings its own rewards. I look forward to spending time fishing, walking in the woods, and enjoying quiet mornings with a cup of coffee, listening to the rain without the need to rush off. I plan on spending time on myself, exercising, eating better, and enjoying my wonderful wife who is also retiring when I do.”
Overall, Mr. Kunde is an amazing teacher, but most importantly he’s an amazing person and colleague. The staff at MHS will miss him next year, but they can always relive their most cherished memories with him.
Jayda Davis, Staff Writer
davja27@sages.us
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