One of Walpole High School’s most adored history teachers, Mr. Stephen Waisgerber, surprised many shortly after the 2010-2011 school year ended with the announcement of his sudden departure from the school after nineteen years of teaching. The decision was a very difficult one for Waisgerber, as he described the community, students, activities and faculty of Walpole as “the best.” Waisgerber, known by colleagues and students as “YZG”, spent his proud years at Walpole High teaching United States History, International Relations, Sociology, and Psychology; coaching girl’s basketball; helping out in school committees such as National Honor Society, NEASC, Agora and Amnesty International; acting in Film Festival movies; and working in the guidance department. Waisgerber is now teaching in Marshfield, which is more convenient for him as he lives and coaches basketball there
Known for his quirky ways of teaching, comforting personality, and overall friendliness, the absence of Mr. Waisgerber has definitely made an impact on the faculty and students of Walpole High. Especially distraught is Waisgerber’s past sophomore class of AP students who he was supposed to continue teaching as juniors. Former Waisgerber AP History student, junior Michael Habib, expressed that “We [were] all upset because he was more than just a teacher to us. Now we have to adjust to having Mr. Morris instead.” When asked about Waisgerber’s departure, Mr. Jean, a colleauge and friend of the history teacher, first joked “Did you bring tissues?” as this is still a sensitive topic for him. He then went on to describe the situation as “a tremendous loss to me, the department and the school.”
Principal, Mr. Stephen Imbusch reiterated that Waisgerber’s leaving is a significant loss to the school, adding that he was an excellent teacher who really understood the culture of Walpole High School and had a fabulous way with students. Imbusch stated that he respects Waisgerber’s decision and wishes him well, saying, “I hope he’s as successful in Marshfield if not more because he was extremely successful here.” Waisgerber, certainly an essential asset of Walpole High, was mentioned nine times in the famous 2011 Graduation Speech. When asked which teacher had the biggest impact on their years at the high school, one graduate said “Mr. Waisgerber, because yeah, he taught us history but I think he went way above and beyond that and basically taught us about life in the funniest way possible.”
When asked about his favorite memory of Walpole High, Waisgerber expressed that he didn’t have a specific one, rather that “the daily interactions, connections and friendships are what will be remembered and missed.” He also says he will miss the history department, “a very good-looking, eclectic, and talented bunch” whom he regards as family. He will miss “Mr. Morris’ leadership, Mr. Balkus’ laughter, Ms. Farrell’s enthusiasm, Mr. Giblin’s air guitar, Mr. Gibson’s consistency, Mr. Jean’s passion, Mr. Strick’s muti-dimension, Mrs. Sullivan’s counsel, Mr. Szymanski’s dedication, Mrs. Tobey’s understanding and Mr. Whittenhall’s love of teaching.”
Though no one could fully replace the presence of Mr. Waisgerber, Ms. Gillian Quann was hired as the new history teacher. Waisgerber said that he was “very pleased and proud that Ms. Quann was hired. She, like the whole department, cares for students and the subject and brings the expected enthusiasm and understanding that has been the hallmark of the third floor.”
Although Waisgerber is now educating high school students many miles away, he has continued teaching United States History 2 and Psychology to juniors and seniors. Waisgerber said that Marshfield High School has many of the attributes that he loves about Walpole- “great kids, dedicated teachers, solid administration and enthusiasm in the hallways.” He described his new environment as a “comfortable place to teach and learn.”
Though any teacher would be difficult to say goodbye to, Mr. Waisgerber definitely trumps all others as students and teachers both are still struggling to come to terms with this loss. The lack of Waisgerber in the building also means that “AnPanMan” will no longer be a regular on call list, stories won’t be heard about his “wife, the giant” or “son, the refrigerator,” and room 3133 will forever be deprived of a Bob Dylan poster and other various random works of art. Waisgerber finished by saying “there is uniqueness and special quality about Walpole High School that is difficult to explain, and it made my time a wonderful and fortunate one that I will carry with me forever.” Although the history wing could arguably still win in a fight among all the departments, as Waisgerber once suggested, the third floor will never be the same
