Mrs. Bauer, a guidance counselor at BC since 2003, recently left the district due to a complication regarding her husband’s job. Although the news came over the summer and she was unable to say her formal farewells, Tyro reached out to speak with her one last time.

Q: How long were you at BC? What was it like when you first started?
A: I was at BC for 19 years. I actually started as the principal’s secretary in August of 1997 when my husband and I moved to Wisconsin from Lincoln, NE. I was so excited! It was a great place to work. The teachers’ attitudes […] were the one thing that I always loved about BC. Teachers truly have students’ best interests at heart, both academically and personally. I can’t think of one person at BC who wouldn’t be willing to drop everything if a student needed them.

Q: Looking back on it, how would you describe your years as a counselor at BC?
A: Seriously, awesome! I loved working with the students and helping them figure out everything from what they were going to do after high school to how to talk to a friend they were having problems with to dealing with issues at home. Most days were different than the one before and that’s what I liked.
When I found out that we were moving, I cried for about 2 days. Dumb, I know, but my first thought was what about my kids! Yes, I thought about my own children, but I also thought about every student at BC as my own “kid.” I was responsible for you guys and I know that they would find someone who would take care of you, but it wouldn’t be me (I’m kind of a control freak in that respect).

Q: As a guidance counselor, you have the potential to make a big difference in students’ lives. What was it like to play that role?
A: I am a helper at heart, so it was fun to be able to help students find their way and then have them come back and tell me what they were doing, whether it was what college they got into or where they got a job or some big event in their life. I still hear from students that graduated many, many years ago. It makes me feel old, but I love to hear the excitement in their voices when they are sharing good news.
However, with the good comes the bad. This past year was the hardest I have ever had. When I look back on it, I still rack my brain trying to figure out what I could have done differently. There were points that I was as devastated as the students. I remember walking through the hall crying so hard I could hardly see. One of my seniors came up and gave me a hug and said, “It’s okay Mrs. Bauer, you can be sad too.” That was exactly what I needed and at that point, I knew as a school we would survive one of the most difficult days because our students are compassionate and supportive of each other.

Q: What are the circumstances that made you move?
A: My husband was transferred with the company he works for, Ascension Healthcare. He was working for Wheaton Franciscan and when they were dissolved into Ascension, his job was eliminated. The opportunity to move to another position that would encompass more responsibility opened and they asked him to interview. He did and the rest is history. It was sort of a whirlwind. We found out we were moving the end of July and were out of our house by September 2.
Q: Where are you now?

A: Kalamazoo, Michigan – which is very hard for an Ohio State graduate!

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to say to BC?
A: Although I am having fun exploring our new city, I miss everyone at BC! It is very weird not going to school every day. I feel like I am playing hooky! The BC community is a unique one. You are all funny, smart, and so compassionate! You will always hold a special place in my heart!