Retiring Pulaski bids farewell to SFHS

Sheboygan Falls High School Principal Dr. Chester “Bud” Pulaski retired from Tremper High School, Kenosha, in 2004 after 15 years. He thought he would enjoy being retired and after three months, he became involved with the “No Child Left Behind” program and then he got the “itch” to be a principal.

“I just couldn’t do nothing, so I took the job of principal at Belvidere High School in Illinois, which is just outside of Rockford,” Pulaski said. “I was there from 2005-07. It was then that I heard about the position here as an interim principalship, and I applied and got the job.

“I still live in Kenosha so it’s about a 90-minute drive each way, but I figured for one year it would be alright,” Pulaski continued, “and now it was two years so this is it.

“My wife, Judy, teaches fifth grade and she’s retiring so now I am too,” Pulaski continued.

“I plan on doing something, part-time stuff, because I’m not the type to sit around and do nothing,” Pulaski added.

“This has been a good experience,” Pulaski said. “My years in administration were in large high schools, and a good learning experience.

“What I did learn is that kids are kids regardless of where they live,” Pulaski pointed out. “They have the same fears and dreams.

“Everybody who is in administration should have a broad-based experience,” Pulaski said. “I’ve found that to be important.

“The drive to and from Kenosha is not a bad drive, but it was a challenge in the winter,” Pulaski commented.

“For 15 years I was one mile from school so this was different,” Pulaski said.

“I do listen to books on CD and the drive gave me a chance for thoughts and I enjoy driving.

“I do ride a motorcycle, and I took the job here because I knew it was short-term,” Pulaski added, “not a long, extended time.

“There are good teachers here, but a limited amount of minority students and I honestly do miss some of that,” Pulaski said.

“I have had some fun experiences and have enjoyed being here,” Pulaski continued. “There are a lot of things this district has to be proud of.

“Sheboygan Falls is losing a number of talented teachers such as Mr. McGlade and Mr. Zemke, and for a number of reasons,” Pulaski said. “There are a lot of things on the horizon, and you can’t anticipate what the changes are going to be. Some changes are exciting and some scary at the same time.

“Change can bring good things, but you will lose some things,” Pulaski explained, “and that’s why change can be bittersweet. Sheboygan Falls can anticipate a number of teacher retirements and those teachers will have new opportunities as well as Sheboygan Falls, but there is also a loss that comes with it.

“Some fulfilling things of being a teacher is watching a young person grow into a responsible adult,” Pulaski said. “That’s exciting.

In regard to the future, “we hope to do some traveling, Lord willing, and go to Australia, New Zealand, do some volunteer work, visit the rest of the states we haven’t yet been to, visit with friends who have retired and maintain those friendships,” Pulaski said.

“As a principal I did some guest speaking and feel that is a way to give back what I’ve learned to some other inspiring individuals.

“As a teacher you need to have a ‘fire in your belly’ to teach,” Pulaski shared. “Because if you’re not excited, you can’t give that excitement to the students.

“Teaching is a chance to make a meaningful contribution; like scholarships, you can see what that contribution does to give back to the community,” Pulaski said. “It’s a chance to make an impact on a person’s life, and that’s wonderful.

“You can’t put a price tag on watching and helping kids grow and become a productive part of the community,” Pulaski concluded.