ROCHELLE – A mix of emotions is how Rochelle Township High School math teacher Karen Toohey has described the last few weeks of her final school year before her retirement.
“It has been a true blessing and I feel that I have had a wonderful career,” she said, reflecting on nearly three decades in Rochelle.
In addition to her time in the classroom at RTHS, Toohey has coached tennis, cheerleading coordinated the winter dance.
“I came here in 1992 strictly as a math teacher,” she said. “The other classes I have taught are pre-algebra, algebra 1 and algebra 2.”

Toohey has taught at many different locations throughout her career, including in Wisconsin, Northern Illinois University and Streator. But after spending 27 years at RTHS she is going to miss the close relationships she has built through the years.
“The best thing here is the comradery between the students and staff,” said Toohey. “That is probably the biggest thing I am going to miss.”
With the free time that comes along with retirement, Toohey said she is most excited to have more time for gardening, reading books, watching movies and volunteering at local organizations. She also has two trips planned with her husband.
“We have an Alaskan cruise that we already have planned,” said Toohey. “And then we are going to go to Mexico.”
Toohey said she has grown a lot as a teacher from when she first started 34 years ago. She has learned many things during her time in the classroom, including one piece of advice she would give to any new teacher.
“Set ground rules from the beginning and you have to stick to them,” said Toohey. “The kids will know right away if you say something and you don’t follow through with it.”