by Kary Ellen Berger

Imagine staying in your home for 50 years. Certain smells and the feel of walking the halls would never be the same if you moved elsewhere. Pam Vissing graduated from McAuley High School, returned to complete her student teaching at her alma mater then taught for 45 years at McAuley, later, also teaching at Mercy McAuley High School. In total, she spent at least 50 years in the McAuley High School building.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” Vissing said. “I was the bossy little girl in charge of the makeshift classroom in the basement, attended by my reluctant younger siblings, poor things.”

Vissing taught English and spent 20 years as the Director of Student Activities. “This entailed being in charge of all student-centered activities other than athletics,” she said. “Taking the lead on student fundraisers, clubs, dances and more was both fun and rewarding. It allowed me to interact with students on a different level. For example, our Student Council provided a monthly activity for the sisters next door at McAuley Convent. We took the Sisters bowling (which was hilarious), to play miniature golf (even more hilarious), hosted a mock cocktail party (the most hilarious), played Bingo … it was something new every month. Some of the students developed life- long friendships with the Sisters they were paired with, as did I.”

While teaching, Vissing was known for her class frequently winning the school’s annual Thanksgiving food drive, including eight consecutive years, thanks to connections retained with former students and her alum class and support from extremely generous friends.

“The biggest reward, of course, was providing meals for those who needed a helping hand,” she said. “The other huge reward, though, was living the excitement of my students. They loved to downplay how many meals we collected, and in fact, hid canned goods and boxes … so others, teachers as well as students (who liked to spy around!), wouldn’t know the extent of our efforts. Sly, right? Apparently, [our] success with the Thanksgiving drive was an impetus … to try to beat us, and that resulted in more meals for those in need, always a good thing.”

Recently retired, Vissing still makes an impact outside the school walls by working at the McAuley Convent. “I was fortunate enough to build friendships with many of the Sisters of Mercy during my years as a school employee, so working at the convent has been such a pleasure,” she said. “The Sisters welcomed me with lots of patience and open arms as I struggled in the beginning to master the phone and paging system. These are women who gave their lives to the service of others, and the least I can do is repay a bit.”

When not working, Vissing can be found around the community, where she still connects with former students, even in unexpected places.

“Selfishly, I’m very lucky to have such valuable friendships with former students,” said Vissing. “They’ve been a blessing to me in myriad ways. After 45 years of teaching, I run into people I know everywhere—from local restaurants and grocery stores, to the beach, to a cathedral in Florence, Italy. I’m certain that those students have impacted me far more than I’ve impacted them. Collectively, they made me not just a better teacher but also a better person.”

This article appeared in the February 2024 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.