Name to a Face: Merri Van Ausdol

Editor's Note: This year the Whitehall School District is losing several well-known and loved staff. For the next few weeks the Name to a Face column will be dedicated to those who will no longer be gracing the hallways of WHS/WMS/WES next semester. We wish them all the best in their retirement!

Merri Van Ausdol was born in Minnesota, with her early years spent in California. Her family moved to Bozeman, where she graduated from high school. Throughout her early life she was involved in choir, as well as 4-H, having a strong affinity for horses.

She attended Montana State University and earned her Bachelor's degree in Education. She taught Kindergarten, P.E. and Title at Gallatin Gateway School before moving to Whitehall with her husband and two daughters in 2001. Seeking small town atmosphere for their daughters, as well as close proximity to Butte for her husband's job at Pacific Steel and Recycling landed them in Whitehall. Their daughters graduated from WHS in 2010 and 2012.

Before working as a first, second, and third grade teacher at Whitehall, Van Ausdol substituted for three years in the Whitehall school system. Some of her favorite teaching memories are substituting for Mrs. Monforton, Mrs. Severance, Mrs. Hibbard, Mrs. Loomis, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Dean, Ms. Jablonski, Mr. McCrossin, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Getz, and Mr. Brazill; all teachers she considers it a privilege she got to know and substitute for.

Teaching has always been a calling for her, as she comes from a very long line of educators; her fond memories of working with wonderful people over her thirty two years in the education system are something she will treasure in retirement. She loves remembering all the smiling faces of those she has taught.

Technology, the bane of everyone's existence at one point or another, is something that created the biggest changes in teaching during her career; something she admits many a student had a giggle at as she would struggle with it often. Van Ausdol whole-heartedly believes Whitehall schools are a great environment for all the students and teachers; she noted that the school tries very hard to be supportive and accommodating to all. Also, the small class sizes are great for teachers and students. Thankfully COVID-19 did not cause too much disruption with her teaching, as she tried to keep things as normal as possible while still following regulations; though she will admit getting accustomed to the masks was difficult for everyone. Really, she said, there isn't much she would change about the school.

Van Ausdol is excited to tackle the adventures that await her in retirement. After twenty years in Whitehall she still loves the area and is grateful to have moved here when they did.

"What a fantastic decision we made!" she said with a laugh, adding that it has been a great place to raise kids and a wonderful place to teach.

"I will miss you all as I start the next chapter in my life exploring this great state and country with my husband," Mrs. Van Ausdol said with a smile.

When you see Merri out and about in town, please remember to thank her for the many years of education she gave our Whitehall Trojans. We appreciate you, Merri!