McLain retires from Havre Middle School

Havre Middle School art teacher Stephanie McLain is retiring from Havre Public Schools District after 25 years.

"Best part of teaching is the students remind me to play. Play is essential and keeps us all healthy," McLain said.

She said one of her most memorable moments of teaching was when a young man came to her classroom last year to say hi, and she didn't recognize him at first and then realized after a few moments who he was.

She was his second grade teacher, she said, adding that he was home on leave and was heading back to the service. 

"Moments like that keep a teacher going," she said. "I have a box of letters and notes I opened up when I was feeling like I didn't matter. Turns out, I did."

McLain is a Havre native, she said.

She attended Havre Public Schools and Montana State University-Northern, where she received a bachelor's degree in elementary education and went on to University of Montana receiving a master's degree in the creative pulse, she said.

She said the creative pulse is a degree that involves music, dance, art, writing, movement and more.

"It taught me a whole new way of thinking both personally and professionally. It completely changed me," McLain said.

She said what she'd like to do more of after retirement is more boating, go to Major League baseball games and ride her bike.

She would also like to building things with her husband, she said, such as finishing their deck, their tiling, perfa taping their garage, making large cement garden orbs as well as making rough edge tables.

She added that she would also like to see more of her kids during retirement.

"I miss them, and it seems like I've been taking care of other people's kids for a long time," she said. "I'd like to get to know my own children as adults and reconnect with them. Teachers have a hard time balancing school and their families.

"It was such a privilege to be hired by (Havre Public Schools)," McLain added. "I was just very surprised that I got a job and really honored, and that's how I've always felt just very happy to have a job."