Mel McWhorter Retires after 30 Years at WHS

WAITSBURG – After 30 years teaching in Waitsburg, Mel McWhorter will be the third long-time staffer to retire from the Waitsburg School District this summer.

Mc Whorter, a favorite among students, will join first-grade teacher Dinah Lindsey and superintendent/principal Dr. Carol Clarke, and wrap up his teaching career this school year.

"Teaching in Waitsburg has been a real positive career," McWhorter said.

McWhorter grew up in the Kalispell area of Montana, where he graduated high school. He earned his bachelor's degree, with a major in biology and a minor in math, at Montana State University in 1975. He later earned a master's in chemistry from Washington State University in 1996.

McWhorter said he pretty much knew he always wanted to teach, though he took a brief break to attend engineering school, before returning to teaching in the early 1980s.

McWhorter has always taught high school math and science, and said his first positions were in Big Timber and Thompson Falls, Mont. He was hired on in Waitsburg in 1986 and has been here ever since.

He and his wife, Lindell, have lived in the Waitsburg area throughout his career here, and his two stepsons, Jeff and Kevin Braman, graduated from WHS.

In addition to teaching math and science, he has coached several sports over the years, his favorite being baseball.

"We wound up with some really special baseball teams through the years," he said.

When asked what he has enjoyed most about his career, McWhorter immediately responded, "the kids."

"The kids I've taught have been really special and have become some really special people. There are too many to count. I just look back at all of the special people that I've taught and that I have taught with as well. We have so many high quality professionals here in Waitsburg," he said.

Teachers and administrators expressed similar sentiments about working with McWhorter.

"I have learned a lot from my time working with Mr. McWhorter: from Zen Grading to 'No shoes, no shirt, no problem.' However, the most important thing I take away from him is the importance of humor in our lives. Laughter really is the best medicine," said fellow high school teacher Roseann Groom.

"It's always gratifying to hear the impact a teacher has had on students. I have heard high school students share how much they have learned from Mr. McWhorter, as well as how much they have enjoyed being in his classes. Not only has he provided quality instruction in the sciences; but, also in math. He will be greatly missed," said District Superintendent Carol Clarke.

McWhorter recently had former student Angela Ferguson, who is now an eye doctor in Walla Walla, teach eye dissection to his students.

"That brought back a lot of good memories. I've been so busy, I haven't really had time to think or reflect much, but after Angela stopped in, it really got me thinking about all the great students I've had," he said.

McWhorter said he's had a "good long run" but that he and his wife have both been experiencing some minor health problems and have decided it is time to retire and take it easy.

He said they plan to do some traveling right away, first to visit family in Montana, then to spend time at the Oregon Coast, which they love. They will also remain active in the College Place Presbyterian Church.

His former student, and Waitsburg's current fifth grade teacher, Gabe Kiefel, will replace McWhorter in the high school.

"I feel really good about that. He'll come in and take over and be really good for the school. He'll do an excellent job," McWhorter said.

"Mel McWhorter is an amazing teacher who has influenced the lives of many, many students. He made science an interactive experience. We had fun, learned life-altering revelations, and we held to high expectations.

"I remember sitting in class during Mr. McWhorter's lessons and imagining doing what he was doing for a living – teaching. Lo and behold, years later, I am fulfilling that vision. Mr. McWhorter is a major reason I decided to study Biology in college, and he's a major reason why I chose to go into teaching," Keifel said.