After 30.3 years of work within Orange County Public School, Spanish teacher and media specialist Frances Giessuebel officially retired on Oct. 14.
In 1986, Giessuebel came to Boone as a Spanish teacher for 5 years. She transferred to Cypress Creek High School as a Spanish teacher and curriculum leader. Then, she moved to Lakeview Middle School as a media specialist. Giessuebel returned to Boone in 1997 where she worked as a media specialist until she returned to the classroom this August as a Spanish teacher.
As a media specialist, Giessuebel enjoyed getting to know students personally. She liked talking with students and learning about their lives outside of school.
“As a media specialist, I realized a lot of kids did not like to read,” Geissuebel said. “I tried matching them with a book and discussed it with them. That was a great moment for me. I feel like I inspired students to enjoy reading.”
Giessuebel was a committee member for the Florida Teen Reads program to select books for high school readers. She also worked with the Battle of the Books team.
“[One of my fondest memories] was last year’s Battle of the Books competition,” Geissuebel said. “I loved hanging out with this group of students and discussing books with them.”
Geissuebel will miss the students and teachers the most. She loves the students’ energy and the relationships she formed with staff. In retirement, she looks forward to sleeping in, having more time to read and spend quality time with friends and family.
“[My advice to students is] stay focused on the good things and overcome the difficulties because doing all of that will help you succeed in real life,” Geissuebel said.