After teaching at Del Val for 19 years, mathematics teacher Carolyn Wolsiefer will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Wolseifer has taught middle school to high school throughout her 44 years of teaching and is leaving a long lasting mark on this school.

Through her time in Del Val, Wolsiefer has taught every mathematics class except Calculus. She has been involved with summer tech help and Wednesday math help tutoring. Wolsiefer has also been the DVREA union president and the business manager for the drama department. She has an extensive career of meeting, learning and teaching students.

“Kids learn in different ways. Some kids need to do 50 practice problems, some kids need to do two,” Wolsiefer said. “Some kids need to listen. Some kids need to write. Some kids need to work with another person.”

Being a teacher has come with challenges, but Wolsiefer has used them to motivate her throughout her career. This school year has been no different as it has brought upon new matters to consider.

“The biggest challenge I have faced in teaching is now, this year has been the most challenging for me because I still am having a hard time getting kids to understand that math is important.” Wolsiefer said. “The way you think in math is different from the way you think in social studies or English, and you have to be able to use all of those different parts of your brain.”

Wolsiefer’s hard work and effort was showcased in 2023 when she was named Del Val’s teacher of the year.

“I hope all kids find their passion the same way I found mine,” Wolsiefer said.

Her work as an educator has impacted students’ as well as other teachers’ lives.

“Ms. Wolsiefer’s impact has been gigantic in ways that she doesn’t even recognize, and definitely in a lot of ways that most people don’t recognize,” Del Val math and computer science supervisor Ryan Murphy said.

All the lessons Wolsiefer has taught, whether they be about math or life, have left a long lasting effect on those around her.

“She’s happy, wise and energetic,” Murphy said. “She’s positive, friendly, and reliable. She’s a great listener and also a great leader, she’s a great friend, a great co-worker, and a great mentor. She’s someone that you’d want to have on your side, and once she’s on your side, she’s with you forever.”