Felicia DeMass began teaching in Portage 65 years ago, at the former Garyton School. She retired four years ago, during the pandemic, after all she could see of her first graders was their eyes on …
Jones Elementary School Principal Jenna Klein greets retired first grade teacher Felicia DeMass during a surprise retirement celebration during the Portage school’s annual field day on Friday, May 17, 2024. DeMass retired four years ago but couldn’t have a retirement celebration then because of the pandemic. This year’s fifth-graders, the last students she taught at Jones, move to middle school next year. Felicia DeMass began teaching in Portage 65 years ago, at the former Garyton School.
DeMass would take her students out to the edge of the school campus and beyond, identifying trees so students could work on their leaf collections and, before subdivisions near the school popped up, enjoying a picnic lunch at the pond, explaining about insects and other bits of nature. Students at Jones Elementary School in Portage honor retired teacher Felicia DeMass with a raucous cheer and her face on handheld signs on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Rules for teachers were different then, too. “At that time, every time you had a baby, you had to quit.” DeMass had five kids. She enjoyed exploring nature with her students. “You don’t need a book. You were going through the seasons.”
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