STEUBENVILLE - The first day of retirement was the hardest for Carol Naptes.
"I was driving to an appointment and drove by Catholic Central. I looked over at my classroom and I could see the windows in the room were dark. That's when I almost started to cry," she related.
After a 45-year teaching career, the last 32 years at Catholic Central High School, "Miss Naptes" has retired from the job she always wanted.
"My mother taught CCD to second-graders preparing for First Holy Communion at our church in Pennsylvania. I was just a little girl but she let me go to the class with her. I would bring my dolls and teddy bears and line them up like students. And they gave me a little blackboard to use like I was a teacher. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to be a teacher," explained Naptes.
"When I first started teaching at the Mars area junior and senior high school in Butler, Pa., I wasn't sure if I would teach music or home economics because I loved both courses. I decided music would be my pleasure and home economics would be my work," she said.
"In fact, when I was recruited 32 years ago to teach at Central, I spent the first 10 years teaching different home economics courses such as cooking, interior design, consumer economics and sewing. Of all of the home economics classes I taught, family living and interior design were my favorites," said Naptes.
"When I started at Central we had 14 nuns and seven priests teaching 850 students here. There were seven teachers in the religion department. I remember several people were very skeptical about me coming in to teach religion because I was a single woman and the other teachers were priests and nuns. But the students were very receptive to me. Later on, we had religious sisters, one religious brother, one priest, a single man and a married woman join us in the religion department and that allowed the students to see how everyone is called to holiness in a different way," Naptes said.
"My favorite religion class was always the Old Testament. It is the Biblical archeology I enjoyed. I also liked to teach the social teachings of the Catholic Church. I also enjoyed teaching the vocations class," she noted.
"I have evolved during my teaching career. I have learned from my students. But I came to the point when I couldn't keep up with all of the work that needs to be done after a teacher goes home after school. The students deserve to have their work graded and returned to them," she continued.
"But I am also fortunate because the school administration has allowed me to remain as a substitute teacher and to help with two study halls and two cafeteria periods every week. I also have time to go through my files in my former classroom and prepare them for Father Benedict, who is taking on my religion classes. I can go to 8 a.m. Mass at Holy Rosary and then come over here and work in my old classroom clearing out the files," remarked Naptes.
Principal Rich Wilinski said he is happy Naptes can continue helping the school.
"Her retirement has left a a void in our school and she will be difficult to replace. She was always committed to our students and took a personal interest in every student she taught. Carol Naptes was a good teacher and is a good person," said Wilinski.
This week will be the first time in 32 years that Naptes has not been involved in Catholic Schools Week.
"I did sit in on the planning meetings and I know the staff is very excited about activities planned for the week. There was always a team of people who organized Catholic Schools Week. And the beautiful thing about Catholic Central is when one member of the team leaves someone else steps up to take their place," she observed.
And as her teaching career winds down, Naptes said she will focus on volunteer work at Holy Family parish.
"As I have more time available I want to become more involved in my parish. I hope to do some work at Samaritan House and there is a new mission starting in the city. I am now at the point where I can practice what I have been teaching others to do. Retirement will allow me to bring order and simplicity into my life," Naptes commented.
"I have loved teaching at Catholic Central High School because the teachers here have the best interests of the students in their heart. The teachers always work for what is best for the students. Teaching here has allowed me to talk and teach about Christ in our lives. And I have never been sorry about teaching at Catholic Central," said Naptes.
"I have retired but I will still be here as much as I am needed. This allows me to stay in contact with the kids and to also enjoy retirement," Naptes stated.
