After 37 years of teaching, 28 of which were at Susquehannock, retiring Child Care teacher Cassie Timcheck finds her last week to be bittersweet.

While all of the extra time appears as a blessing, Timcheck can’t remember the last time she woke up and didn’t come to school.

“I went to kindergarten, elementary school, then middle and high school, college, and then I started teaching, and then I was going back to school myself,” said Timcheck. “So it’s just going to be really weird.”

Timcheck has devoted her time at Susquehannock to establishing the child care program, The Growing Tree.  Not only do high school students benefit from the program, but it also allows children to interact with high schoolers during the day. The interaction provides high schoolers with a real life atmosphere. Although leaving The Growing Tree will be difficult, Timcheck is excited for a younger influence, in hope that they will relate even more to the students and children.

“Having The Growing Tree while I’m now having children of children of children, third generation,” said Timcheck, “it’s time for me to go.”

During Timcheck’s 28 years at Susquehannock, she has taught students about the impact that they can have on younger children and their lives. Timcheck has a unique way of teaching that shows her students the bigger picture.  With the subject of child care, students can see how their actions affect the future of a child long term.

Timcheck’s students are inspired by her attitude toward the children and how easy she makes working with kids look. Junior Allie Taylor is a student in Timcheck’s Child Care class this year.

“She’s so inspirational,” said Taylor. “She’s so good with the kids that it helps you teach the kids and makes you better. I’ll miss how great she is with them.”

This year’s Vice President of The Growing Tree, Brianna Barco, cannot believe Timcheck is retiring so quickly.

“She has this vision in her head that no one sees,” said Barco. “But when we get close toward it, we can start to see the vision that she has for the children and how she wants them to grow up.”

Being Vice President has given Barco a lot responsibility and much time with Timcheck.  Barco found it a challenge to pick only one fond memory after her time with her this year.

“I think it’s more so than one memory,” said Barco. “It’s just when I make a mistake and she turns my mistake into a positive.”

As for Timcheck, departing January 17, she plans on spending her time with her grandchildren and with other retired friends that she has made at Susquehannock.  She also is looking to devote her free time to her hobbies, spinning wool and reading the books that were put on hold; however, she does not plan on forgetting about Susquehannock.

“The people at Susquehannock are awesome. The teachers here are awesome. They are so dedicated to their jobs and do what is best for the kids, and I have to say that the students here are awesome,” said Timcheck. “I love Susquehannock; it feels like home.”

 The program and students will greatly miss the teacher that has left a long lasting imprint on so many students and children through her years at Susquehannock.