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 When
Jerry was a youngster, he was very shy. His dreams as a kid were
much like other little boys. He wanted to be an astronaut, then a
baseball player, but the only thing that really tugged at his
heartstrings was teaching. He ultimately decided that he wanted to
make a positive difference by becoming a teacher in a smaller school
where he felt he would be able to make more of a connection with
children, by instilling a feeling of confidence and trust.
Growing up in a small rural area, he graduated from Witt High
School, took college courses at Lincoln Land College, and went on to
Eastern Illinois University to get his teaching certificate. Jerry
tends to favor the subject of American History because of an
influential professor from college. What he says he remembers the
most about this professor was that he was always well prepared, used
a lot of humor (mostly about his mother-in-law, but all in good
fun), and was able to meld it all together to make each class
interesting and leave the student wanting more. Before NHM, Mr.
Neisler worked as a part-time teacher in Ramsey, and then was a
substitute teacher for three years in the Mongomery County area.
While at NHM, Mr. Neisler also coached track for ten
years with a female student winning at State, and a male who
finished sixth in the State, and in the late nineties, the girl's
track team won at the County track meet. During Mr. Neisler's
thirty-one years at NHM, he was the History Fair Sponsor where many
students won blue ribbons at the State History Fair at the
convention center in Springfield. Mr. Neisler estimated that he
taught roughly 540 students over the years.
Mr. Neisler will agree that being a teacher is extremely rewarding,
but it is not as much of a gravy job as some may think because of
having holidays, weekends, and summers off. The task of a teacher is
not as idle as one thinks with the re-certifications, classes, and
seminars to attend, and writing the curriculum. Mr. Neisler states
that many things have changed over the past 36 years, and it is more
of a challenge to keep children interested in class work with the
social media rise, the pandemic, and the instant access that kids
have adapted to because of technology. Mr. Neisler feels it is very
hard to compete with the instant gratification kids are receiving in
today’s world while trying to keep the students engaged and
entertained while teaching simultaneously. One advantage is that the
students were a great help in teaching Mr. Neiser a thing to two
about the technology that he uses in the classroom such as the
smartboard. What he would like to see change going forward in the
educational system is not to rely so much on standardized testing
and more on hands-on opportunities. He is also passionate about
keeping that open line of communication between the school, teacher,
students, and parents. He feels having a full commitment from all
parties is a critical must-have for the success of the school,
teacher and most importantly the student.
When asked what he would say to a student(s) who are interested in
going into the teaching profession, he said that he would only be
honest and start with all the satisfying attributes a teacher gets
when that lightbulb goes off in a student's head or when he finds
out that a prior student was influenced by his teaching with a
success story. But he would also include that teaching is just not
having the summers off. It is a continual year-long process that has
to include patience, being prepared, always being one step ahead of
the kids, and knowing not every day is going to be easy or blessed
with a defining moment.
His proudest moments are when he is fortunate enough to run into
former students by chance or when they come back to visit him, and
he can hear all about their lives as adults. Social media has also
allowed him to stay connected with former students and watch their
progress through life.
He has many, many fond memories and said he wished he
had kept a log of all the funniest, thoughtful, and not-so-funny
memories. He claims it would be on the bestsellers list! One of
those fond memories is when he caught a student cheating and as he
came up behind the student in class the student dropped his cheat
sheets on the floor. The first words out of the student’s mouth were
“They’re not mine!” as his classmates chuckled. Another sweet story
dear to his heart is about a little girl in a lower grade. As a
staff member was reading a story to the class, the story mentions ‘a
higher power.’ This little girl was intrigued by this and called out
a couple of ideas of who she thought was the ‘higher power.’ Then
with a huge look of excitement, she exclaimed “Do you mean that it
is Mr. Neisler!?” Many years later when this little girl was a
Senior in High School, she came back, and job shadowed in Mr.
Neisler’s class. He reminded her of that day and told her she didn’t
know it then, but she could have had anything she wanted that day!
A recent student, Bhayleigh Osborn, has fond memories of Mr. Neisler
and the first words about him were that he was always so nice to
her. She had many stories of learning history in his class and the
‘News Game’ and the ‘Slides’ stand out as the most memorable. She
said these games showed her how to find and appreciate history and
current events happening around her. However, she was not fond of
the monthly oral reports. She remembers always trying to get out of
it and asking Mr. Neisler if she could do something else. However,
she did admit that standing up in front of the class and reading
these oral reports taught her to be more confident in herself.
Former student Chassidy White, Class of 2006 writes:
“When asked if there was anyone I would like to nominate for
Hometown Heros I had only one answer. Jerry Neisler. There have been
many great teachers throughout my academic career, but one that I
can remember clearly is Jerry Neisler. I can vividly picture walking
into the patriotic history room. Filled with New Holland Middletown
Mustangs and the colors of red, white, and blue. Just like the
presidents lining the walls of his room, you can feel the history
this singular classroom holds.
“I had known Mr. Neisler as a young child as he taught my three
older brothers. I have vivid memories as a young girl going and
enjoying time in his room while my parents and brothers met with him
and shared their projects. Upon entering the 7th grade I was excited
to have a seat of my own in that very room. Anxiously waiting to
start on the many projects my brothers had participated in before
me.
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“Upon getting to have Jerry Neisler as my teacher for
history as well as health and
wellness, I came to know that he was a very devoted, loyal, and
detailed teacher. He helped me along with my two classmates enter
the history fair with a project on Abraham Lincoln’s Home in
Springfield. IL. Making it all the way to the regionals is something
I will carry with me for life. “Another
great impact Mr. Neisler had on me the ability to utilize my right
to vote! In order to get us to fully understand the election process
he would host an entire mock election. Out of the 7th and 8th grade
classes he taught, candidates would be selected, campaigns would be
run, and then the entire school would come to the assembly and vote.
There would be a voting booth present for after each candidate had
their part in the debate. The students would then line up and place
their vote privately in the booth. Teachers would then collect the
ballots and announce the winner. I go back to this memory every time
I have entered a voting booth in my adult life.
“With NH-M being such a small school he filled many roles to help
keep the school activities up and running. I recall him taking on
the role of track coach even though he lives many miles away from
the school. He would stay late on weeknights so that we could
practice and show up early on Saturday mornings for us students to
catch the bus to the meets.
“After 31 years of being completely committed to one lucky little
community, Mr. Neisler gets to retire with much love and respect
from all of his current and former co-workers and students. He has
impacted us all along the way, and that is why Jerry Neisler will
always be a Hometown Hero in my eyes-Chassidy White.”
The greatest validation that Mr. Neisler was living
out his childhood dream in the world of teaching was when
unexpectedly someone would remind him that he said this, or taught
them that, or he heard of a success story by a former student as an
adult. No matter what happened that day or week, that story or
remembrance was all he needed to remind him that he was exactly
where he needed to be and that he was fulfilling his dream of making
a difference in someone’s life.
When Mr. Neisler was asked what he wanted people to know about him,
he replied “I may not always have been the best teacher, but nobody
cared more about the school than I did, or nobody cared more about
the people that were there than I did. I am humbled and grateful for
all the kindness the school, kids, and parents have given me over
the years, they have always been supportive of me, and it is
genuinely appreciated.”
Mr. Neisler is a huge fan of baseball and hockey and in retirement,
he plans on fishing more, playing golf more, smoking meat on the
grill, working in the garage and yard, and traveling with his wife.
He also wants to explore painting landscape scenes and learning how
to play the guitar.
Mr. Neisler and some of his former
students
Mr. Neisler with former teachers at
NH-M
Mr. Neisler with the current teachers at NH-M
NHM school had an open house where former students
and their families came to express their gratitude towards Mr.
Neisler's dedication to teaching and then followed up with a dinner
at a restaurant for his family where he received a plaque with his
years of service. Approximately 130 friends, family, co-workers, and
current and former students also had a ‘roast’ for Mr. Neisler on
June 1st where they had pictures, cards, videos, and stories from
days past.
Jerry Neisler - because you followed your dream for the past
thirty-six years, you have changed, motivated, inspired, and showed
others how to believe in, live out, and chase their dreams.
A great big “Thank You” to Mr. Neisler for following through with
his dream of becoming a teacher and showing Logan County what a true
hometown hero looks like!
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