Karla Modelski: Over 30 years of dedication to education

Jessica Pfeifer | Conant Crier

For many, there could be nothing worse than having to give a presentation in front of their peers. In fact, over 25% of Americans fear public speaking according to a poll from the Washington Post. However, students at Conant have no reason to fear with the help of veteran Speech teacher and retiree Karla Modelski. 

After 33 ½ years of teaching at Conant High School, Modelski retired in December 2023. She has been a crucial part of the Conant community teaching a variety of classes, helping students prepare for the SATs, and sponsoring several clubs and activities throughout her career. 

Modelski completed her student teaching at Conant–and then never left. She attributes this in part to her commitment to finding a profession that gives her joy and aligns with her strengths.

Modelski’s favorite part of her time at Conant has been the people. She has worked alongside “amazing colleagues” who she says make her “a better teacher and person.” Her colleagues feel the same.

“Mrs. Modelski has helped me become a more confident teacher, and she has been a great friend outside of the classroom,” Katie Apperson-Skobel, a fellow Conant Speech teacher, said.

This was echoed by Susan Hess, the English Department Chair, who also recalled when she would go to Modelski for advice when parenting young children and how Modelski started a Conant Cougar Play Group in the summers.

“She organized get-togethers with other teachers and their kids and had special outings to local parks and petting zoos,” Hess said.

Along with meeting some lifelong friends in her time here, Modelski also met her husband Bill Modelski, a former head football coach who retired in 2016. 

Many current students may know Mrs. Modelski from the dual credit speech class offered at Conant, where she teaches students how to speak confidently and effectively in front of a crowd. 

“She has helped so many people in our department,” Hess said.

Modelski said, “I feel like the speech classes have been even more special to me, and the fact that students earn 3 credit hours for college is very rewarding.”

Some of the other English classes she has taught over the years are Speech 2, Rhetoric of Cinema, and several non-departmental classes like AP Seminar, Leadership for Life, and Leadership and Efficacy.

In the English Department, Modelski has made a tremendous impact. Apperson-Skobel said, “Mrs. Modelski is considerate of co-workers and has brought so much laughter and creativity to the department over the course of her career.”

In addition to her impact on her students and co-workers through teaching, Modelski has also made crucial contributions to the community at large. Students may also know Modelski for her help with the English portion of the SAT or from one of the many other clubs, sports, or activities that Modelski has sponsored over the years including Speech Team, Cheerleading, Senior Class (assistant), Student Council (assistant), Girls Track (assistant), and the New Teacher Program.

Modelski also enjoys hearing about what her former students are doing after high school. Now, students will fill these same shoes, wondering what she will be up to after such a fulfilling career. 

In her retirement, Modelski said she looks forward to “spending more time traveling with family and friends, volunteering at several nonprofit organizations, teaching speech at Harper College, taking guitar lessons, and reading!”

Beyond high school, Modelski advises students not to worry about picking the “perfect” job right away. “I worked in advertising after college for a few years before I realized that being an educator was my passion in life,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to take risks and don’t ‘settle’ if you don’t find joy in your career.”

Through Modelski’s commitment to education, Conant has been made a more vibrant community. The Crier wishes her luck in her retirement.

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