Retired science teacher, Monique Mohler, recently shared with us a recap of her distinguished teaching career in Indiana as well as her efforts to continue that commitment to education even in her retirement through local volunteering. From the classrooms of Plainfield and Brownsburg to hands-on STEM programs, Monique’s passion for teaching continues to leave a lasting impact on her students and her community.  

When teaching leads to life-long learning  

Monique's journey into teaching sprung from her deep interest in the field of Zoology, for which she earned her degree. She then brought her passion for science to the fifth, sixth and seventh grade classrooms of St. Susanna in Plainfield, followed by a 16-year tenure at Brownsburg High School, where she taught biology, zoology and later developed and taught a course in Oceanography. She also had a year-long stint at Decatur Central Middle School. 

"My degree is in Zoology," Monique explains, which made teaching science a natural fit. She found the ever-changing nature of science, particularly oceanography, deeply rewarding. "Oceanography? There's just so much new data and information coming out, and I got all my lesson plans from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and NOAA, and so it was very current. I got to do a lot of learning while I taught." 

How Monique continues to fuel her passion for teaching  

As a student of Zoology, Monique gravitated towards the study of oceanography, even in landlocked Indiana, because as she points out, "of all the animals on Earth, there are actually more in the ocean than on land." And while animals have always remained her academic passion, her true motivation for teaching was being given the chance to educate generation after generation and broaden their horizons alongside her own. 

Monique retired in June of the 2024 school year, reporting that the adjustment has gone "pretty well." Though she admits she misses teaching a lot—especially the structure, lesson planning and most of all, the kids. 

To continue fostering her connection with students, Monique attends events at Brownsburg High School, even though she lives in Plainfield. She also volunteers at the Imagination Lab, a STEM-based extension of the Plainfield elementary schools, helping lead the Cultivating Crew, a group of fourth and fifth graders who tend to a greenhouse, raised beds, a pollinator garden, and a native plant garden, even growing vegetables served in the school cafeteria. 

For Monique, retirement is a journey of its own 

Now in retirement, Monique enjoys spending more time with her grandchildren and with her husband traveling—a newfound passion fueled by her experiences leading student trips to places like Costa Rica, Belize and Columbia. Although she knows there’s so much more of the world to see, and now, she’s enjoying every stop along the way.