Retiring SPED teacher Anita Mueller is on hand to assist students in Jackson Krejci’s seventh grade Language Arts class.
Back in August of 1984 brand new teacher Anita Lang (now Mueller) stepped foot in the Exeter High School not knowing she would spend the next 39 years teaching in the district.
She started out as the SUCCESS II/ Chapter I Reading/Math/Elementary Resources teacher and has continued helping students in the special education department.
Mueller spent 10 years as the cheerleading coach at Exeter High school and also was part of the School and Community Intervention Program (SCIP) for 11 years. She was the assistant volleyball coach for one season.
Mueller has enjoyed helping students prepare “for life by reading practical household things like different utility bills and rental agreements, completing practice job applications and interview questions, and talking about different types of insurance and their importance in life.”
Along with learning about the practical aspects of adulting Mueller hopes to instill in her students that “they are their biggest asset and they have to be an advocate for themselves because if they aren't no one else is going to be either.”
Watching them become their own advocates and become successful adults has been one of the highlights for Mueller. She also loves it when she watches students “graduate from college and go into business for themselves or work for someone else and become successful adults.”
Superintendent Paul Sheffield noted that the district, “will miss her knowledge and guidance. She has made an indelible mark on the students and staff and has been an integral member of the E-M family.”
After watching 39 classes of seniors graduate from Exeter/Exeter-Milligan Mueller is ready to take on some new challenges. She hopes to spend time camping, cleaning out her basement, substituting and possibly getting her bus license. She also plans to be available to help her daughter Tara set up her very first classroom this fall.
