Elizabeth Bartimus:
CLASS OF 1977
Macon High SchoolClass of 1977
Macon, IL
Elizabeth's Story
I am teaching Biology, Honors Chemistry and Chem 2 as well as chairing the Science Department at Eisenhower High School in Decatur. I have a BS in Biology, MS in Educational Administration, conduct staff development in teaching strategies, am certificated to teach C.R.I.S.S. and I write curriculum (CAT and Regional Office).
I sponsor Marine Biology/Environmental Biology trips to the Florida Keys almost every year. We swim with manatees and dolphins, do analysis on ecosystems and water, kayak in the open ocean and the mangrove forests, observe freshwater vs. ocean water life (hold a jellyfish-no it doesn't hurt of you do it right) and more. In two years I will be taking students to Costa Rica (seniors only)to zip through the canopy of the rain forest and do some ecosystem analysis comparison.
I have presented nationally and received awards for my teaching and curriculum efforts. I absolutely love my job and try to stay involved with my students beyond my classroom.
I have one beautiful daughter, Jennifer, who is finishing up her second degree at Greenville College. Her first is in Music Performance and Education and her second will be in Elementary education. She has been dating a nice young man for 6 years and we may be having a wedding someday.
I have been married for 12 years to Michael and he works for Richland Community College. We both like to travel, camp and go to Cardinals games. We are also huge Illini fans.
My sisters-Robyn and Dennise- and I get together every chance we can to be just girls. Dennise lives in Georgia and Robyn lives in Tennessee. I have one nephew, 7 nieces, 2 great-nephews and 3 great-nieces. My brother Dale still lives with mom in Georgia and Vic still lives in Decatur.
Interesting note: Rhonda White and I reconnected over our girls. They were both involved in show choir in Mt. Zion. They became best friends before they knew that Rhonda and I had been friends in high school. I think they were a bit mortified at first but got used to the idea. Now Rhonda and I get together when we can around our busy schedules.
I think that the biggest surprise in my life has been a couple of things. First-how rewarding and successful teaching is. It is a job only those who are in education can tru...Expand for more
ly understand. We don't make a lot of money, people are quick to judge and point fingers at teachers and yet here we still are every day trying to make a difference in the world. I would say come spend a day with a teacher to understand how hard our job really is. The paperwork and UNPAID holidays can make you want to scream. It all changes when a student comes back to say thanks or cries at graduation because they won't see you every day.
The second thing that surprised me the most was how joyful parenting can be. Most of my classmates would be shocked to find out how emotional I am about it. I kept to myself a lot in high school and I was such a tomboy! My daughter was dressed in dresses and girly things from day one. I took such pleasure in watching her grow and change. It really hurt when she left for college. I am so proud of her now. She is still such a girl LOL.
I hope my old friends remember me as a person who could have fun and laugh at myself. I tangled with people from time-to-time over injustices I felt were done to me and others. I still do. I have a soft heart and hope people remember me as a kind person.
I think I turned out very differently than people thought I would. I moved in as an outsider to Macon and it was difficult. I wasn't the most popular kid in school but I persevered and-thanks to Mr. Coate's huge belief in me-I am where I am now. It toughened me up and made me hungry to succeed.
I think that as time has passed we all are different-more mature (hopefully) and we see sides of people that we were all to shallow to see in high school. We tend to appreciate people more and find joy in things that we thought were "so lame" when we were younger.
My biggest strength in life has always been the love of God. I am a faithful person and it is God I have turned to when I really needed guidance-then and now.
I am most happy when I am with my family. We enjoy so much together and we have traditions in some of the smallest things. We savor small pieces of time together. Jennifer is getting close to being out of the house for good with a life and someday a family of her own. Ten years from now I hope to be retired and sitting on a beach somewhere with my husband and maybe a grandchild or two.
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