The mark of a devoted educator often lies in one’s personal mission to promote a love of learning wherever it takes them throughout their career and beyond. For Bern Township resident, Dr. Solomon Lausch, a passion for learning and instilling that same passion in others continues past his life-long career as an educator, and into his retirement years.
“I’ve been an educator my entire life”, says Dr. Lausch. “I spent two years in the United States Peace Corps immediately after college, and 18 years in urban education in Baltimore City as a teacher and high school administrator, then to Hanover, York County as superintendent of schools for 8.5 years and then to the Schuylkill Valley School District here in Berks County as superintendent for 15 years until my retirement on June 30, 2012.”
After retirement from the public school system, Dr. Lausch served as the Executive Director of the Berks Business Education Coalition for 10 years and is active with the World Affairs Council of Greater Reading, serving as past president and treasurer and presently as chair of the education committee.
With a wealth of experience and insight into education, Dr. Lausch has chosen to return to where students take the first steps on their journey through their educational experience – kindergarten. He volunteers his time with seven kindergarten classes in the Schuylkill Valley School District, twice per month with each class, and two kindergarten classes in the Glenside Elementary School of the Reading School District twice per month. The Glenside school is also located in the same community where he is very active as a member of Christ Lutheran Church.
“The whole idea of volunteering with this age group is to emphasize and serve as a male role model where most of the teachers are female. I read to the students, and I spend the rest of the time interacting with them. The students talk with me during outside recess and during their lunch time in the cafeteria, or we will play games. The whole point is that it is important to have good strong men as role models who also believe that education is important.”
Dr. Lausch has made a special impact on the young students that he visits during the course of the school year. At the conclusion of the year, teachers took the opportunity to create a “thank you” project from the students to help them show their appreciation, and at the same time teaching them how to write a colorful thank you note. Here are a few excerpts in their own words:
Thank you for reading to us and reading to kindergarten and reading to me. Sincerely, Kaiden
Thank you for being kind. Sincerely, Jaden
Thank you for reading the Boo Book! Love, Mia
I like when you read fare (fairy) tells (tales). Love, Zoe
I love every book you red (read) us. Love, Liam
I like the ranbow (rainbow) fish book! Love, Jilly
The cawnting (counting) game is fun. Love, Hailey
Thank you for being an amazing role model for my students. Love, Mrs. Boone
Thank you for cawnting (counting) our smils (smiles) Love, Gabby
Thank you Dr. Lausch, I love you! Love, Jake
The stack of booklets with class pictures and colorful notes lovingly created by the classroom teachers and their students reflect the positive presence that Dr. Lausch brings to their classroom during his volunteer visits. These visits are helping to construct the foundation on which a love for learning is built upon in these early years.
“I personally find it very rewarding to work with this age group. They are so innocent and receptive to people who take the time to talk and listen to what they have to say. I always ask them, “Who has the best smiles?” And they know that Kindergarten has the best smiles. Then we count the smiles, making eye contact with each child. It is very rewarding.”
In his free time, Dr. Lausch enjoys, in his words, a very “mediocre” game of golf for the social aspect of the game, reading, and traveling with his wife, Maeve. They are looking forward to traveling with friends to Norway in September.
Thank you Dr. Lausch for your ongoing support of children while inspiring them toward a lifetime love of learning!