Dear AIS Alumnae:
This is not about money.  I just want to make that clear from the start,
so you don't hit the delete button before you have read the reason for my
communiqué.  This year three people will be retiring from AIS who have made
a significant contribution to the flavor of the school through the years.
The person who has been here the longest is Jo Steinbauer, who has taught
elementary ESL and IB Language B English for over thirty years.  The other
two are Woody and Ingrid Barr, who have been here since the early eighties.
Woody originally taught 4th grade, and more recently ESL English in the High
school.  He also teaches psychology, has frequently coached girls' soccer
and has acted in a mentoring capacity for many students.  His wife, Ingrid,
has been an aide in the Kindergarten for many years where she taught German
to non-Native English speakers.  She also was the first ballet teacher for
many elementary children.
The reason I am writing to you is with the request that you forward this
e-mail to other members of your class, asking them to write to me and send
me fond memories and recollections about any of these people.  These can be
funny, light-hearted, behind-the-scenes stories (What really happened on
that Senior trip), or more serious expressions of appreciation and
affection.  The goal is to assemble as many letters and cards as possible,
and present these to them at the end-of-the-year faculty farewell.
If you don't remember any of these names it is not so unusual, but if you
keep a data base of e-mail addresses from your grade, I would greatly
appreciate it if you were to forward this e-mail.  Hopefully we will hear
from at least one person from each grade...
Warm thoughts from those of us at AIS who will continue to carry the torch
for all of you who have made these years worthwhile.
Affectionately,
Gale and Jim Johnk  
Send letters to:
johnk@aon.at

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