Two teachers leave great legacy at St. Joseph

Friday, May. 22, 2015

OGDEN — More than 50 years of teaching at St. Joseph Elementary Catholic School means a lot of memories, dedication, love, generations of students and a sense of community that only teachers can experience – that was the atmosphere on May 15 at a goodbye party at St. Joseph Elementary School, which this year is seeing the retirement of two longtime teachers: Cathy Platz and Mary Kubicki.

Platz was the St. Joseph kindergarten teacher for 34 years; she is originally from Iowa but moved to Utah because of her husband’s work.

“He was the news director at a radio station and got transferred to Utah and I needed to find another teaching job,” said Platz, who had taught eight years in public schools before the move.

However, “as a child I went to Catholic schools and I always thought I wanted to teach in them,” said Platz.

After so many years at the same school, Platz has had in her classroom the children of former students.

“She has raised many kids here [at St. Joseph]; she was actually teaching the second generation now,” said  Nancy Essary, principal.

Among the virtues that Platz had to offer at St. Joseph were her patience, her desire to continually learn, and her drive to help the students succeed, Essary said.

“She used to volunteer oftentimes to help the students on the side (in summer or before and after school),” said Essary, who also thanked Platz for all the experience and time that she gave at the school.

 “She was an excellent reference for our new teachers. She helped the parents know how to help their children through this first experience at school. … There is a lot of trust. I knew the kindergartners were in excellent hands with her,” Essary said.

Looking forward to retirement, Platz said that she is excited to be able to have more time to spend with her family and traveling.

“But it is kind of bittersweet because after 34 years St. Joe’s has definitely been like a second home, and I know I am going to miss the kids, but I also know that I am not probably going to be able to stay away and I probably be back helping,” said Platz.

She thanked the St. Joseph community for their support and trust.

“I have learned what an incredible giving, caring community is at St. Joe school. ... This is just part of my life. It’s part of who I am. It’s been a very gratifying experience,” said Platz.

Platz exemplifies St. Joseph Elementary, said Sue Durbano, the school’s admissions director, who went to school with Platz’s children and is now also the parent of some of Platz’s students.

“She is so patient, so calming. … Kindergarten is a big step – their first time all day at school – and she is just so warm and kind, and those kids love her. She makes it so easy for them, which is so nice,” said Durbano.

Like Platz, Mary Kubicki came to Utah because of her husband’s work. She arrived from Michigan when her husband, who was on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, got transferred.

With a teaching career that spanned 40 years, 15 of which were at St. Joseph Elementary, Kubicki enjoyed her time teaching children, she said.

“I have always been in Catholic schools, and I love the Catholic school system,” said Kubicki, who over the years  taught third and fourth grade; she was also the literacy program director.

Three of Durbano’s children had Kubicki for a teacher.

“She is really funny,” said Durbano. “She is also one of those calm and nice teachers. My son John loved her a lot. She was a really good artist; she is such a good teacher,” 

Kubicki’s husband, James Kubicki, said that they both are very appreciative of her time at St. Joseph. 

“She is very inspirational; she had a double mastectomy three years ago – you can have all those challenges and still keep on going,” said James Kubicki.

“I was sick for a while and everyone helped me a lot and that was very sympathetic,” added Kubicki, who wanted everyone know how grateful she is and how much she is going to miss everyone at St. Joseph. “I leave with a lot of good memories.”

Both teachers were very appreciated, Durbano said. “I don’t think people realize how much time teachers are here [at the school]. They think they are here until three and then they go home, and these teachers are here on Sunday; they are here every day until six at night. They are always preparing. They put in so much time and effort. I appreciate that a lot for our children,” said Durbano, adding that she thinks that the students  “are lucky that they are going to be able to look back and say, ‘I had Mrs. Platz, I had Mrs. Kubicki as my teachers.’ They are great foundations to have.” 

Teachers influence young people more than they realize, Essary said. The caring that teachers have extends beyond the classroom, which helps students “to have confidence and be successful in life,” said Essary.