Carole Fulkerson says goodbye after 28 years of teaching here at Thomas Jefferson.
Carol Fulkerson stands (2nd from left) with her students at the DPS Shakespeare Festival for her last year. Photo by Tori Wallace
Teaching in DPS for a total of 41 years, Carole Fulkerson is now retiring from Thomas Jefferson high school. Fulkerson started teaching both physical education and English. Over her 41 years in education she has taught and coached swimming, dance, bodyworks, and helped choreograph musicals. “My first teaching job was at The University of Wisconsin where I started in the physical education department,” said Fulkerson. “I loved teaching and ended up working at GW, Manual, Montbello, Rischel Middle school, and Phillips elementary before coming to TJ, where I’ve taught for a total of 28 wonderful years,” explained Fulkerson.
Fulkerson was TJ’s swim coach for a while before taking on three different classes. “I teach all levels of swimming, meaning from beginning swimmers to lifeguard training,” said Fulkerson.
Sophomore Ezra Braig who had her last year said, “I took her lifeguarding class. She was a really good teacher so I’m sad she’s retiring but I feel lucky to have had her.”
Not only does Fulkerson teach swimming, she also teaches a dance class. Senior, Alyssa Klimper who had Fulkerson as a dance teacher her freshman year said, “She taught us ballet and african dance which was a lot of fun.”
Throughout her 28 years of teaching at Thomas Jefferson Fulkerson has seen many other staffers come and go. One of her favorites is fellow Gym Teacher Bill Burns, who had nothing but nice things to say about Fulkerson, “She was one of the first people who hired me and since then we’ve been like team mates. For the past eight years it was just us running the Physical Education department.”
Fulkerson stated, “One of my favorite memories over the years at TJ were coaching and working with Burns.”
The feelings were clearly mutual for Burns, as he said, “Fulkerson is a very caring detailed person and great at what she does. She’s easy to work with and to get along with. She’s intelligent and talented and I hope retirement treats her well because we’ll certainly miss her here at TJ.”
Another one of the staff members who worked with Fulkerson closely was Drama Coach Michael Palmieri. “We’ve co-directed four musicals together: Godspell, Chicago, Rent, and Little Shop of Horrors,” said Palmieri. “I’m happy and sad that she’s retiring. Happy because she’s such a hard worker and she deserves to relax and smell the roses. Sad because working with her has been a dream. She’s the best choreographer on earth. Sad because I won’t get to spend as much time with my good friend,” stated Palmieri. “She has a lot of qualities that make her a great teacher, some including her patience, dedication, belief that her students can succeed, and shes an overall rockstar at what she does. Thomas Jefferson will really miss her,” said Palmieri.
After teaching 41 years in DPS why retire now? Fulkerson explained, “The timing was perfect. My daughter’s graduating this year so I felt it was a good time to say goodbye as well.” Luckily for everyone who doesn’t want to see her leave she has good news, “I can’t quit cold turkey, so I’ve decided to substitute here a couple days a week,” said Fulkerson. “Thomas Jefferson has become my second home and I’m glad to have been part of the staff and the community,” explained Fulkerson.
