By Shannon Lukens. (Cover photo courtesy Zero.)
Susanmarie Oddo is retiring from Steamboat Springs School District after 22 years in the district at both Steamboat Springs High School and Yampa Valley High School. She has been involved in education for 29 years.
Her retirement is on the agenda to be accepted at Monday’s Steamboat Springs School District Board of Education meeting.
Instead of a retirement party, she is setting up a scholarship fund.
“Well I really truly believe that no child should be delayed or denied their college-bound journey because of their social economic status. And I was. And so the idea was, in lieu of a retirement party, and trinkets, or memorabilia, I really wanted to give back.”
Oddo is setting up a Grace for Education scholarship for college-bound students from Yampa Valley High School. She has contributed to get it going and she is hoping community members will as well. The scholarship will be given to a student each year in May. Link to Donate
Oddo is retiring June 4.
Make a donation to the Grace for Education Scholarship
Retiring SSSD Teacher Gives Back to Students with Scholarship Opportunity
Here is the retirement letter for Susanmarie Oddo:
I am writing to share with you that I have decided to retire from my position as Gifted Education Coordinator with the Steamboat Springs School District effective at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.
I’d enjoy sharing a few reflections from my journey if you would kindly allow me the privilege.
I believe being a teacher is who you are, not what you do.
During a professional development weekend with the late artist Robert Rauschenberg, I spoke to him about my undergraduate professor at Manhattanville College. The professor reminded me that I was not entering my career teaching art but rather entering my career teaching children, and the moment that I forgot that, would be the moment that I would fail.
My first years of teaching, in an inner-city school, allowed me the opportunity to advance my growth as an educator exponentially. Unfortunately, I would see things during that time I wish I could forget including students being arrested, and the blood in the hallway from yet another fight. But not a day went by that I would not see the beauty in the eyes of every child, because within each child was the desire to be loved.
Years later I would read, Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire by Rafe Esquire. Embedded in those pages was a familiar message reminding the reader that we are teaching the child, and the great importance to love a child-even if you don’t like them. Find something, anything to love, and then love them unconditionally.
The message is simple, love the children you serve and strive to be a better teacher, a better person, and you become limitless. Albeit some days I’d arrive home exhausted beyond belief, wondering if I did enough and if I was enough. The good news is as quick as the sun sets, it too rises, and so do we as teachers because with a new day comes new chances to change a life.
I believe my greatest success has been loving my students with all my heart. To believe in them so much that they believed in themselves. We have talked about grit and growth mindset, which I have modeled through my own stories because our vulnerability as educators allows our children to understand that they are not alone.
If my students take anything from our time together I hope it is this: Failure is a necessity toward the growth that makes you the best version of your ever growing amazing self. Failure is not an identity nor a reflection of intelligence, in fact just the reverse. Remember, do not fear failure I whisper, embrace it because it is your opportunity toward growth.
My own senior year of high school I worked diligently for an early January graduation. This allowed my full-time employment which allowed me to save for my college education. That spring packing for my college move I heard a knock on my bedroom door. My parents sat me down at the kitchen table to let me know that despite our plans, despite my savings and despite my acceptance letter, they simply could not afford for me to attend college. Both of my parents did not graduate high school, and it was hard for them to fully comprehend the expense of college. I said goodbye to my college-bound friends and returned to my full-time job.
No child should be delayed or denied their college bond journey because of their social economic status. But we are.
During my twenty-nine year in education, twenty-two for SSSD, I’ve been blessed with accolades that have been nothing short of humbling. I received nominations from my colleagues to be teacher of the year at two different schools, district teacher of the year, and became a finalist teacher for our great Centennial State. However, nothing comes close to the emotional gratitude evoked from the cards and letters that children and families have written me over the decades, a reminder that they have felt loved.
It may come as no surprise that in lieu of any tangible retirement gifts or celebrations I kindly request any contribution regardless of how small be directed toward a Yampa Valley High School scholarship “Grace for Education” that I will establish for a graduating college bound senior.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as a Steamboat Springs School District art teacher, reading teacher, Montessori teacher, instructional coach, and most recently your gifted education coordinator. It has been an incredible journey!
With Grace and Gratitude,
Susanmarie G. Oddo
Susanmarie G. Oddo
(she/her/hers) Why Pronouns Matter
Gifted Education Coordinator
soddo@ssk12.org (970) 871-3684
SSHS, Room 116 LSC
YVHS, Front Office