Tyrone elementary teacher Jannette Ober-Lauck will retire at the end of this school year after 29 years of service to the Tyrone Area School District.

Lauck, a gifted support teacher and ESL specialist, has inspired several generations of Tyrone students , many of whom remember her as a caring teacher who always took the time to get to know each student on a personal level.

Despite not having her as a teacher since fourth grade, junior Alicia Endress was quick to credit Lauck as one of her favorite teachers.

“She was the one who sparked my interest in math,” said Endress.

Junior Megan Dale was one of Mrs. Lauck’s students in elementary school and her younger sister Sarah Dale has her now.

“Even 11 years later, she is still the nicest teacher you’ll ever meet,” said Dale.

Lauck received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Penn State University and began her teaching career in State College where subbed for six years before being hired at Tyrone in 1990.

“Mrs. Lauck was such a great teacher and she taught me math skills I still use today,” said former student and current TAHS sophomore Sarah Hoover.

Lauck is also well respected by her colleagues and administrators.

Fourth grade teacher Krista Getz has worked with Lauck for 17 years and will miss seeing her every day.

“It has been a great opportunity to work with Mrs. Lauck.  She is a wonderful mentor, teacher, and friend. She has a true gift to teach and connect with students in the classroom.  She is truly a great teacher that is hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget,” said Getz.

According to Director of Curriculum Leslie Estep, Lauck is a dedicated teacher and will be missed.

“Mrs. Lauck is thorough, hardworking, and puts 200% into her students. She challenges her students and encourages them. She is a loyal colleague and she has an honesty and sense of humor that I respect very much,” said Estep.

As for Lauck, she says there are many things about teaching but she is looking forward to the next chapter of her life.

She plans to spend more time with her three grandchildren, and especially her youngest grandson who has not started school yet. Lauck also wants to spend more time on her garden, swimming, reading and living life without a schedule.

“I’m grateful for the years I’ve had teaching here in Tyrone. It’s been a wonderful career and I’ve couldn’t have asked for anything else,” said Lauck.