Retired teachers receive belated salute

The Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce recently gave three longtime Grafton School District educators a proper send-off after their last year of teaching was compromised due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Automotive technology instructor Carl Hader, and business educators Sandy Giuliani and Lori Mathias received Outstanding Educator Awards on Sept. 29 during the Chamber’s annual awards reception at The Bog golf course in the Town of Saukville.

“These teachers have been directly part of Grafton’s business community throughout their careers by helping students get connected to a number of local companies,” Chamber Executive Director Pam King said. 

“We haven’t presented Outstanding Educator Awards before, but sometimes it’s nice to do something new for people who have gone above and beyond with their work.”

Hader taught at Grafton High School for 41 years and developed automotive technology curriculum that is used by schools throughout the state. In addition to helping school teams win state and national automotive competitions, he has seen many  of his former students pursue careers in the auto industry as technicians, engineers and designers.

“Having worked such a bizarre year, it was nice to tie it up with something like this,” Hader said. 

Although Hader is retired, he still helps out at the high school as a shop mentor to his successor Nic Fullington. He also continues working with colleges and high schools by certifying their automotive programs.

When speaking about his retirement, he characterized it as “Instead of coming to a screeching halt, I just put on the brakes.” 

Lori Mathias was an educator in the district for 18 years. She was initially hired as the district’s technology integrator to help bring computer access to teachers and students. In 2007, she became a technology teacher at John Long Middle School, taught classes at the high school and was a club adviser with Giuliani for the Future Business Leaders of America.

“I was honored and humbled by the Chamber’s recognition,” Mathias said. “I was in good company with Carl and Sandy. I think, together, we had about 100 (overall) years of teaching experience.”

In her retirement, Mathias keeps herself busy as an adjunct professor at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Giuliani taught business courses at Grafton High School for 20 years in accounting, financial literacy, marketing and video game development. She also helped create the school store.

Together, Giuliani and Mathias worked with eighth-graders to give them financial experience by organizing a Reality Store concept, which brought in local business professionals. 

“The Chamber has had the pleasure of working with Sandy and Lori in a number of ways,” King said.

“They developed a BMIT (Business Marketing and IT) Advisory Board which includes Chamber member business leaders. This group helps guide curriculum decisions and offers suggestions regarding skills and competencies that are needed in today’s business environment. Their vision and dedication has made a huge impact on students.”