As I look back at my 35 years as a teacher and administrator with the Milwaukee Public Schools, my head is swimming with so many fond memories.  First of all, it’s hard to realize that so many years have gone by since I first entered room 205 at North Division High School in September, 1971, as a very green yet energetic math teacher, fresh out of Marquette University.  The experiences of those early years really reassured me that education would be a very worthwhile and rewarding career, and it certainly has proven to be so.

While there are wonderful memories from all the buildings where I served, the school where I served my longest tenure was Rufus King, having spent the last sixteen years of my career here, more than twice as long as any other school.  I’ll never forget how eager I was to begin my new assignment when I was told I was being transferred to Rufus King in June of 1990.  I was one of three new administrators who were replacing the team that was retiring that year.

That first year at Rufus King was particularly exciting as I was not only learning all about the wonderful program in place here, but I was also learning the intricacies of programming a large high school. (I had come from a small program at Lincoln Downtown Center.)  I would go on to spend the next eleven years as assistant principal and data processor before being privileged to serve as principal at Rufus King for the past five years.  During my time here, we saw the school enrollment grow from about 1150 to almost 1500 students.  We are also very proud of the growth of the IB program, the rigorous curriculum in which a majority of our students now participate.

There are so many people to whom I am indebted during my career with MPS.  I am grateful to all the staff members with whom I have worked, from those at North Division who nurtured me as a young teacher to the staff at Rufus King during my tenure there.  I am also very grateful to all the parents for their support and cooperation throughout the years.  And I am especially grateful to the thousands of students who have crossed my path during these 35 years.  They have truly made me realize how blessed I have been to be an educator and they have also provided many bright rays of hope for the future.

So while it’s time to turn over a new page and begin the next phase of my life (including a lot more time to spend with our grandchildren), let me assure you that the “teacher” part of me will always play a significant role in who I am.  Let me also assure you that I will be available to assist wherever I can. Finally, know that I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Rufus King, and I’ll always be proud to be a “General.”

Peace,
Mr. Meuler