Deb Kucharyski grew up in the Midwest and met her husband after her college graduation. He took a job in Houston, Texas shortly thereafter, and then the couple moved there to live together and raise their children for 17 years. They also lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a two-year stint, but eventually came to live in the Region toward the end of the ‘90s, this fall marking 25 years since their arrival.
Though she has a degree in secretarial studies and bookkeeping and worked at an accounting firm, Kucharyski has always possessed a desire to teach. This started when she witnessed the writings her teachers made on chalkboards, the markings they made with their red pens, and the fun she had when make-believing she was a teacher in the basement as a young girl. Now, she currently works as an instructional aide at Cooks Corners Elementary School in Valparaiso. What originally started as performing volunteer gigs turned into a full-time position, and she has now been working there for almost 19 years. Her having children also partially led her to where she is vocationally today.
“Growing up I always wanted to be a teacher. There wasn’t a great demand around the time I was getting started, so I went with my second option, the numbers and puzzles, going for business. That was my career until we had to move,” she said. “From there I’m fortunate to say I stayed home to raise our children. When our youngest went to school, I volunteered in the school system. I was approached about taking a job, and that’s how I got my start.”
Now that she’s been able to do what she loves for more than a decade, she’s come to find joy in most aspects of what the job entails. Being an educator in the current world isn’t easy. To do so requires a commitment to fostering the capabilities of young learners of all temperaments. The rewards are unparalleled, and simply being around the children often diminishes any sort of trouble she might be dealing with personally.
“It’s rewarding to work with children. Over time, I’ve established different types of activities working with small groups in the classroom, and the kids look forward to learning through fun. Seeing them can even change a bad day. Handling their different behaviors is challenging, but helping them is the ultimate prize. Their smiles go a long way,” she said.
As time passed, more and more of Kucharyski’s former students entered college or the working world. Sometimes she happens to cross paths with them, and conversations about who remembers whom spawn from those encounters. Talking through positive memories with people she formerly knew as children in learning environments, these unplanned reunions have helped her to better understand her impact as an educator, making the job even more fulfilling. Her legacy comes through in each word exchanged with her old students, coming full circle.
It’s not only the students of the past and present who bring Kucharyski satisfaction through work – it’s also her co-workers as well who make a difference in how enjoyable the workplace is. The job wouldn’t be as wholly gratifying without them, and there certainly is a penetrating sense of kindness that travels from classroom to classroom each day. It’s not just one person operating Cooks Corners; it’s a group of individuals dedicated to strengthening the community through collaborative efforts.
“It means a lot when you go to work and love who you work with. We all help each other—that’s how it’s always been here. For example, everyone’s there to cover whenever there’s a sub needed. It’s like we’re a family,” she said.
Kucharyski’s family is an essential part of her life, and her family’s only getting bigger: her first grandchild is expected to be born this October. Her job as an educator allowed her to spend ample time with her children throughout their respective childhoods. She was available for all the games and matches, all the holiday gatherings, and all the graduation ceremonies. Her grip on her work-life balance is a strong one.
Outside of Cooks Corners, Kucharyski is involved in the community. She’s coached Girls on the Run in the past and is an active member of her church, Christ Lutheran. Downtown Valpo offers her and her family the chance to go out and dine at quality restaurants. She and her husband frequently attend the free concerts. The two of them golf in the summers and bowl in the winters.
At first, Kucharyski wasn’t entirely set on moving to Indiana, but she fell in love with the Valparaiso area once she finally moved. Everywhere she goes there always seems to be a familiar friendly face.
“Valpo is a smaller community, but the friendliness of our community—which I love—is unmatched. Our leaders have provided our community with so much entertainment and life, and I love that. We’re all very close-knit, and we get a lot of opportunities. It was a great city to raise my kids. I think it would be selfish to move anywhere because it’s the people nearby who make it hard to leave,” she said.