Hoosier Lottery Beneficiary, Teachers’ Retirement Fund​

It was her senior year of high school when Marge sat up in bed in the middle of the night. She had just felt her calling. The calling to be a teacher. ​

“I was pretty shy and introverted, so the thought of being up in front of a room leading children was a bit scary,” she said. “But I made the decision to give it a try, and I’ve loved it ever since.”​

Marge started college at Ohio University and later graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a degree in elementary education. She also earned her master’s degree from Indiana Central University, now called University of Indianapolis. ​

She married her husband and spent the first 11 years of her career teaching kids between kindergarten and eighth grade at schools in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. Her family then settled in Perry Township on the southside of Indianapolis, where she taught first grade at Homecroft Elementary for 38 years.​

One of her fondest memories of teaching is one that carries on now even in retirement. “Maybe 30 years ago, the teachers started dressing up for Halloween. I dressed as the witch from the Wizard of Oz. We had a parade and it became custom for me to jump in every room and scare the kids,” she said. “Even now that I’m retired, I still return dressed as the witch to lead the parade. It’s so much fun. And when I see students out and about, they remember me as the witch.” ​

Marge also mentored more than 35 student teachers throughout her career and enjoyed helping them overcome their fears and grow their skills in the classroom. “Mentorship is so important,” she said. “My mentor shared her gift of loving children, and I think that’s where some of my passion came from.” ​

Marge expressed deep gratitude for her husband Clifton, who helped shape her into the teacher she would ultimately become. She recalled a particularly tough year early on in her career when she was struggling to manage an unusually difficult set of students. “My husband helped me find my courage. He spoke words of encouragement and it changed my whole persona as far as classroom management and discipline,” she said. “After that, teachers often brought me students who had misbehaved because I could be very stern while also being loving and understanding.” ​

Marge has been retired for a year and a half, and makes time to volunteer at her school once a week. She also tutors at the Refuge, a faith-based food pantry in Johnson County that offers a tutoring program to elementary school students. She is also very active in her church, Southport Presbyterian Church, where she serves as an Elder. ​

In her free time, Marge enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her family. She has two beautiful daughters, Jennifer and Lauren, and two wonderful sons-in-law, Matt and Jasen. ​

“We traveled the world with our daughters and shared many beautiful memories,” she said. “We toured the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and Australia and have been to Japan, one of our favorite destinations, five times.”​

Even after traveling the world, Marge enjoys staying close to home and appreciates everything Indiana has to offer. She recalled family camping trips through all the state parks, and especially enjoys Brown County, Madison County and Harmonie State Park.​

“We love being in the Midwest,” Marge said “My life has been blessed with a wonderful husband, loving daughters and good health. I am very thankful.”​

The Hoosier Lottery would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Marge and all the other teachers who make a huge difference in the lives of so many, each and every day.​