Parkland chemistry teacher retiring after 36 years

The room number on Washington High School's chemistry lab has changed over the years. The lab in what is now Room 601 has been updated and re-painted a few times...But when the school year ends June 21, it will mark the end of an era at Washington High School. Ufer, who's taught in the same room in the same high school since 1975, is retiring. He knows that when he locks the classroom door and walks down the hallway for the last time, he's going to feel the tug of powerful emotions. "But right now," he said with a slight grin, "I'm just counting the days." Ufer, 65, is considered a dedicated teacher treasure by parents, students and colleagues. His status prompted letters to the Franklin Pierce School Board asking that Room 601 be named the Steven K...The board agreed, and the honor was announced recently at a school assembly. "Steve has been a pillar in our science department, our school and our district," a letter from school staff members said. They noted that over 36 years, Ufer has taught chemistry, computer programming, math and several advanced-placement science classes. He's inspired students to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers. Shirley Ray-Togia, a member of the school's Patriot Partners parent group, told the board in a separate letter that "without staff like Mr. Ufer, WHS wouldn't be the caring and compassionate community it is." Sophomore Marlin Pickens calls his chemistry teacher "a good guy." "He entertains us, but he keeps us focused...Sophomore Brooklyn Roys likes Ufer's class because of the cool demonstrations his teacher uses to illustrate how chemistry works. And student Vincent Samayo, also a sophomore, offers the ultimate student compliment to a teacher: "He never makes it boring."...The principal admits: "I was not a stellar chemistry student by any means...And he says that even after three dozen years, Ufer is able to connect with even the reluctant students. Hester says that Ufer is "everything you look for in a teacher: solid content knowledge, able to keep kids engaged with labs and activities. He's got that knack of being able to build relationships with kids."...But as Ufer dons his protective white coat and walks around his classroom coaching students through a lab session, he makes chemistry look fun. He answers one girl's question with another question, gently guiding her toward understanding...He'd just been accepted into a graduate program when college deferments for the military draft were abolished. It was during the time of the Vietnam War, and Ufer was drafted into the Army...He then went on to finish his master's degree from the University of Oregon...When his boat broke down, a friend suggested he put his science knowledge to work in a classroom. "Everyone thinks I'm kidding when I tell them, but I went into teaching because it fit in between fishing seasons," Ufer said...He passed his love of science and of teaching to his daughter Kristina, who teaches biology at Franklin Pierce High School. "I like the autonomy," he said, noting that there are only about a dozen state standards involving his subject. After he covers those, "I pretty much get to teach what I want." Ufer says he wants to retire now so he can enjoy outdoor pursuits including fishing and sailing while he's still healthy. He's never felt that teaching the same subject for so many years was drudgery...He doesn't like to plan too far ahead, and he's likely to change his plans for the day as he's driving to work. The way he sees it, he teaches a different concept every day of the school year. "So it's only been 36 times for some things," he said. ---