As students are finishing their school year, teachers are also finishing their year by retiring and will be leaving the high school.

Program assistant Maria Fernandez, physical education teacher Kristy Hasty, family and consumer science teacher Patricia Clifford, and math teacher Gwen Geiger will be retiring at the end of the year.

Fernandez assisted in English one and two classes this year and is an alumna who graduated in 1975.

“My favorite memory is learning from other teachers that I worked with and making at least progress with one student throughout the 15 years,” Fernandez said.

As a student, Fernandez’s favorite memory was in 1974 when the football team made it to the state finals.

During her retirement, Fernandez wants to stay home for a few months to watch her grandchildren and will find a part-time job two days a week.

“I want people to remember me for being who I am. I want them to know that I am friendly and helped through any way I can,” Fernandez said.

Hasty has taught physical education for 23 years at the school and started out in 1994. In the last several years, Hasty has been involved with the teen mom program and has coached boys and girls varsity volleyball.

One of Hasty’s favorite memories was going to state for the first time for boys volleyball in 2001.

“It was a great group of kids that went and only one player only played club volleyball. The other worked hard to play volleyball in our program,” Hasty said.

Hasty was recognized at senior night for boys volleyball for her retirement and was surprised to see her parents there.

“My parents flew from Seattle to surprise me on senior night. They were hidden in a room and they came out,” Hasty said.

During her retirement, Hasty wants to be closer with her children.

“I plan to be a full-time mom. I have a daughter who will start high school next fall and a son who will start 7th grade. I have missed many sporting events with my children so I plan to cheer them on in the sidelines,” Hasty said.

As Hasty retires, she wants students to remember her for being a fair and friendly teacher.

“I have truly enjoyed my experience at West Chicago. I will miss it dearly, but I will be ready to start a new chapter in my life,” Hasty said.

Clifford began teaching at West Chicago in 1996. She was a full-time sub for her first year and taught family and consumer sciences.

One of Clifford’s favorite memories was creating the class food and fit.

“We were very encouraged to have a curriculum that we proposed supported. Ms. Hasty and I, and a few other teachers created food and fit,” Clifford said.

Clifford has been involved with family and consumer science night.

“Unfortunately last year the class did not run but we would do community service projects at the end of the year, and that was really rewarding. I love my new kitchens and it is nice to finish my year here,” Clifford said.

Clifford also started  Culinary Club.

“Culinary Club is for kids who never had time in their schedule to take a foods class,” Clifford said.

Relaxing is one thing that Clifford will do while retiring.

“I want to relax because as teachers it is constantly lesson plans and grading so time passes and I am going to work with my daughter in the real-estate business,” Clifford said.

Clifford wants the students to remember her in a positive way.

“I would want them to learn and enjoy something with my foods class and the students remember me in a positive way and when they think of me they smile,” Clifford said.

Geiger declined to be interviewed.