Lance Carle
MLAJA Teacher
1979 to Present

It was May of 1979 at Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy.  Principal Roy Ingham, School Board Chairman Leon Grabow, and Central California Conference Superintendent of Schools Milton Thorman were looking for a new teacher for grades 7 and 8.  Several candidates were interviewed, including Lance Carle from the Glendale area, and the board members prayed for guidance as they made their important decision.  Which teacher should they invite to join the MLAJA staff?  Serving on the board at this time, in addition to Leon and Roy, were Ted Parks, Darrell Leamon, Janet Deckard, Jeanie Proctor, Bill Hale, Don Teel, Jim Singer, and Robert Haverstock. 

Lance soon received word that he was being offered the job, and he and Joanie accepted and made the move to Sonora, although there was no teaching position for Joanie at this time.  There were approximately 60 students in the school that year.  Lance’s fellow teachers were Annette Reeves, grades 1-3, John Mooy, grades 4-6, Roy Ingham, grades 9 and 10, and Merlyn Reeves and Shelley Wagner, who taught band, choir, and classroom music.  Nadine Proctor was school secretary, Kathy Esposito was teacher aide, and Jan Deckard was Home and School leader.  Darrell Leamon was senior pastor at the church and Ted Parks was the associate pastor, although he soon took another position and Tim Mitchell came to be the associate. 

The school consisted of only the existing elementary building with its four classrooms.  There was no Kindergarten classroom, no gymnasium, no portable classroom, and no shop building.    The new Forest Road church had been completed and in use for about ten years, and Sonora Community Hospital, of course, was well established next door.  School programs were held in the church, and the church folks met at the school for their potlucks. Casseroles were heated up in the single oven in the teachers’ workroom, and tables and chairs were set up in the hall and foyer so people could sit and eat.

The faculty was quite a young group when Lance arrived at MLAJA, especially compared to now.  I suppose the age range was the early 30s to the mid-40s.  That sounds pretty young to me!  All those young, energetic teachers loved school trips and activities.  The ski program had been going strong for a number of years, and Lance chaperoned at least two trips that first year—he and the Inghams went with the ASB to San Francisco, and Lance took his 8th graders to Great America for Ditch Day.  

Within just a few years of teaching at MLAJA, Lance settled down to a routine of taking the 9th and 10th graders on a history trip to the Bay area every two years and taking the 7th and 8th graders on a history trip through the gold country on the alternate years.  He soon managed to work his love of bike riding into the 7th and 8th grade trip.  Students and chaperones took their bikes and rode during the parts of the trip where this could be done safely.  Getting ready for this trip involved the students bringing their bikes to school for a safety check, a practice ride over to the fairgrounds and back, loading/unloading the bikes numerous times, and a lot more.  He still continues the rotation of these two annual trips plus another—outdoor school.  The first outdoor education trip that I could find record of was in 1989 when the 7th and 8th graders went to a Christian camp in Scotts Valley with students from Modesto Adventist Academy.  For a number of years now, the 8th graders have gone to Catalina Island for a few days of marine biology each year with students from Mountain View’s Miramonte School.  This year the 7th graders will also be included in this trip.  Former students tell us that these great educational trips were among the highlights of their MLAJA years. 

Lance has a big interest in all things technical.  I’m not sure when that began.  Maybe that “video recorder” setup Home & School purchased for the school his second year tweaked his interest.  Later, Principal Dan Rathbun purchased student computers, but it was probably a few more years  before each teacher had a computer on his or her desk.  In 1994 Lance took a class called “Integrating Multimedia Technology into Curriculum.”  That same year he gave a report to the school board about some of the projects his students were working on, such as videography, keyboarding, and computer graphics.  He told the board that some of the school’s computers were several generations old, and he would be open to suggestions as to how to remedy this problem.  His students have enjoyed varied projects through the years, such as filming interviews, filming skits or action scenes for the Manners Banquet, making short animated movies using toys which they move an increment at a time to tell a story, and using PowerPoint to illustrate reports.  He installed graphics arts software so the kids could learn to use it, and I believe he was instrumental in installing Sketch Up, a design program.  Currently, John Kramer volunteers his time to teach the older students to use Sketch Up. This is certainly an enrichment to our program, and the students seem to really enjoy it. Lance often finds interesting sites on the Internet to pass on to fellow staff member and students.  Clever free software finds are shared.  He always seems to be knowledgeable about the latest and the greatest when it comes to technology!

He is a strong supporter in having the younger students learn how to touch type so they will be able to type their homework and research papers and not learn bad fingering habits. In 1989-90 Lance and English teacher Carolyn Rathbun jointly started requiring students in grades 7-10 to do research papers and type them up themselves.  They learn how to do research, footnotes, outlines, bibliographies, and so forth.  By the time a student does four research papers, one each year in grades 7-10, he or she is starting to get the hang of it.  Because of this experience at MLAJA, students are more prepared for the upper grades of high school and even college.

The Manners Banquet started many years back, I would guess in the 80s when the Rathbuns were here, and Lance continues to orchestrate this annual event, with the help of staff members and parents.  Students have a chance to dress up a little, eat out, practice basic good manners, and socialize.  Formal attire and dates are entirely optional.  Lance spends class time every year reviewing what is expected of the students as far as good manners are concerned.  Attendance at the Manners Banquet requires participation in the talent program which follows the banquet, and the parents are invited to come watch the program. Each student must participate in something.  Skits are popular, along with homemade videos, and musical numbers.  Kids are learning great stuff in a very fun way.

He uses the Fall Festival time as another learning experience for his students.  They make plans, create signs, build booths, man the booths, and help with whatever is necessary to have a successful event.  Early Fall Festivals were famous for the 8th-grade dunk tank.  The students loved getting a chance to dunk Mr. Carle and other teachers!  Then sometime after the dunk tank came the popular 8th-grade jail.  For a handful of tickets, you could have a classmate or an adult—even Mr. Carle himself—arrested by the MLAJA police and put in jail.  Some fugitives didn’t go to jail quietly, which necessitated much chasing around the gym, kicking, screaming, and so forth.  Finally, the faculty decided that someone was apt to get hurt if this continued, and also that the whole concept was not turning out to be in line with school values, so the jail was discontinued. 

For many years, the Fall Festival came on the same weekend as Lance’s famous “Non-Garage Sale” (yard sale).  Students sorted, priced, and sold items to earn money for their 8th-grade activities.  For a week or so, not much seemed to be happening in the way of formal academics in his classroom, and this always made him wonder, “Why exactly am I doing this?”.  But, in reality, he knew there was lots of education going on.  The students may well remember what they learned during these practical activities longer than formal book learning.

Lance enjoys photography, and he takes beautiful and interesting pictures of most field trips and school events.  These are great for web page slideshows, classroom projects, yearbook candids, and for just plain remembering when.  He likes to attend the weddings of former students, and part of his gift to the family is a priceless disc full of snapshots from the reception.  The family is always so busy and preoccupied at these events, and it is hard for them to even remember who was there.  Then Lance gives them his pictures showing all the smiling, happy people who were in attendance.  My family has experienced his thoughtfulness first hand.

In my opinion, Lance has pretty much perfected his 8th-grade graduations down through the years.  We moved to Sonora in the spring of 1981 and quickly formed the habit of attending graduation each year.  Even now, it seems like each service is better than the one before.  At least one feature of his graduation program has evolved quite a bit since the first year—the Tribute to the Parents.  His very first program had a tribute to the parents given by two students.  By the next graduation, all the students were apparently doing their own parent tributes.  For quite a few years the tributes were fairly informal.  Some students mumbled a few words, and others who had the “gift of gab” gave longer and more thought-out tributes, all basically talking off the top of their heads.  Eventually, Lance got the idea of having the kids write down what they were going to say.  That was great, because they had to think out what they wanted to say ahead of time, and he could offer suggestions, if need be.  Then a few years later, he got the idea to have the students, not only write out their words, but format them attractively on a computer and print them on nice parchment paper.  The words are read and then the student gives the paper to the parents along with the traditional flower, all as part of the tribute.  Very nice!  I wish I had such a lovely keepsake from each of my boys.  When my boys graduated, tributes were still in the “talk off the top of the head” stage!

By Lance’s third graduation exercise in 1982, “Class Gift” is included on the program.  From that year on, he has encouraged the graduating class to give a thoughtful gift, either to the school or to a mission project, using some of their money earned by fundraising projects.  This last year the gift was a new board in the hall for mounting 10th-grade pictures, since the last one was filled up.    He has used leftover class funds to provide other gifts for the school, gifts that are not announced or even known by the public, but that are greatly appreciated.  Examples of this would be new faucets at each of the basins in the restrooms, an electronic label maker that all the teachers can use, a new chair for the secretary’s office….  Most or all of the current picnic tables were also gifts from 8th-grade funds.

Well, what else can I say about Lance.  He always enjoys a good pun or play on words.  He always has a pun type joke written out on a special white board in his classroom, and changes it every couple of weeks.  These puns often require a bit of explanation for at least some of the students, so this, too, is all part of the education Lance provides for his students.  His funny lines that I often hear in the office include “Are you using my copy machine again?” and “Are we having fun yet?”.   He has been teased through the years about his “groaners” and “awful puns,” but I’ve got to believe that everyone secretly loves his humor. 

We can’t talk about Lance without mentioning his consistently calm spirit, in and out of class.  No matter what is going on, he seems unflappable!  He treats students and everyone else with quiet courtesy.  He seems like the very embodiment of one of my favorite quotes from the book Education, p. 240: 

Cheerfulness and courtesy should be especially cultivated by parents and teachers.  All may possess a cheerful countenance, a gentle voice, a courteous manner, and these are elements of power.  Children are attracted by a cheerful, sunny demeanor.  Show them kindness and courtesy, and they will manifest the same spirit toward you and toward one another.

Organization is certainly one of Lance’s strong points.  Some may think that it comes easy for him, and it may, but he works hard at it.  He puts in long hours at it.  He has all the lists for his field trips and events like Fall Festival, Manners Banquet, and graduation on his computer, so he doesn’t have to waste time reinventing his lists each year.  That certainly gives him a head start on all he has to do.  He encourages his students to develop organization so they can get their homework in on time.   Returning permission slips, ski forms, etc., in a timely manner are often encouraged by offering points or special activities.  One might call it bribery—but he calls it “appropriate consequences!”  He often shares his organizational skills with the rest of us, and we appreciate it.  He is always thinking of something that could be done to make school life go smoother—or should be done to avoid downright disaster.

Here are brief notations of some of the events of Lance’s MLAJA life:

  • The most students in 7th and 8th grades to date is 31 (1996-97).
  • The fewest students in 7th and 8th grades to date is 7 (1985-86).
  • The most grades that Lance has had in his homeroom to date is four, grades 5-8 (2009-10).
  • Principals Lance has worked with to date include Roy Ingham, Dan Rathbun, Everett Perry, Mike Solazzo, Stan Baldwin, Rod Kerbs, Bob Chinnock, and Emily Villeda.
  • Joanie’s first year to teach at MLAJA was 1980-81 (grades 1-3).
  • Joanie went on maternity leave halfway through 1982-83.  Teacher aide Virginia Clark finished the year, and Teri Evans (Deacon) was hired for the next school year.
  • Lance and Joanie’s son Troy was born in 1983.
  • Joanie came back to start MLAJA’s Kindergarten program in 1984-85.
  • Years Troy was in his room: 1996-97 & 1997-98.
  • Joanie “graduated” from teaching K-P1 and began teaching grades 1-2 in 2002-03.
  • Lance was out on medical leave from September 2003 through the end of the 2004-05 school year.  Most of that time he was available by phone for the substitute teachers and the rest of us.  Carolyn Smith and Sherrill Cranston team taught for him the first year.  The second year, Carolyn taught part-time and the other classes were absorbed by fellow teachers Julie Lewis & Rod Kerbs.  Lance also did projects for MLAJA at home as he was able.   Even on medical leave, he was a member of the MLAJA team and never far from the thoughts of staff, parents, and students.  Joanie was off with him the first year to be his caregiver, but she came back to teach for 2004-05.
  • On May 16, 2008, Joanie suffered a moderate stroke after school.  She did well recuperating at the hospital and at home but was never able to return to her classroom.
  •  In June 2009 at graduation, Lance was honored for teaching 30 years at MLAJA.  He was given a memory book full of pictures and notes from former students and current and former staff members and colleagues.  We worked hard to surprise him and were able to “get him good,” in spite of several glitches.  Had he been more suspicious by nature, he would have been on to us!  The memory book was put together by Nadine Proctor and Kristin Dorchuck. 
  • On April 10, 2010, Joanie passed away following another stroke.

The notes sent for Lance’s memory book are such treasures.  They are included here, by Lance’s permission, so that others may read them.  Those who wrote emphasized what they remembered and appreciated about Lance, and when we put all their memories together like a jigsaw puzzle, we get a picture of Lance!  Enjoy!

Janet Johnson
School Secretary
March 14, 2011

 

From Jim and Carolyn (Rathbun) Sutton

Congratulations, Lance, on 30 years of teaching at Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy!  You and I first met over 40 years ago in Collonges, France (1968-69) when we were both students at the Adventist seminary.  Two years later you lived for a year with our family in Lukanga, Congo/Zaire when you were a student missionary.  About a decade after that, you surprised me by marrying—on the other side of the world—the longest-running best friend I ever had, Joanie Hoatson.  Over a decade later you and Joanie were instrumental in our interviewing for teaching at Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy where we were blest to become your teaching colleagues for a few years.

What has always impressed me most about you is your ongoing commitment to be God's man—in personal conduct as a son, husband and father; in concern for others; in professional excellence which has always included the even-handed, redemptive treatment of even the most recalcitrant students; and in the personal balance of your lifestyle.  You are always there for others in need.  My family and I have experienced that first hand on many occasions.  In addition, you have demonstrated to the rest of us—by your faith during your own "dark nights" of affliction—that God has always been there for you.  By extension, you have reminded us that God will always be there for each of us as well.  Perhaps this has been your greatest gift to all those whose lives have been touched at MLAJA by yours.

Lance Carle, we are proud to be counted among your friends. 

With love and pride, we again extend our hearty congratulations,
Jim and Carolyn (Rathbun) Sutton

 

From Ray & Edie DeFehr

Congratulations, Lance!  You are most deserving of this tribute!  We've shared many of life's experiences over these 30 years...even the "stupid boat"!!  It's been wonderful to have you, Joanie and Troy as friends, neighbors and most of all...being "brothers and sisters in the Lord". Your faith and endurance is to be admired and it has certainly brought Glory to God!  

His continued blessings,
Ray & Edie DeFehr

 

From Monica Day

On picnic day, we were all playing outside, and we had water balloons here and there. The teachers were sitting on a bench on the field, watching us kids make fools of ourselves, and I got the ridiculous idea that it would be fun to hit Mr. Carle with a water balloon. I ran by and threw it at him, but with my puny arms, it didn't hit hard enough to break. It did, however, land right in his hands, and the next thing I knew, he was chasing me with the water balloon in his hands. I had no idea he could run so fast! All I saw was him sprinting at me, at an inhuman speed, on those long legs! This was NOT the reaction I had expected!

I took off running; I had never been more terrified! I ran for my life, across the field and behind the baseball fence... He was still gaining on me! I was losing energy fast... I would falter soon and surely my life would be over... I glanced over my shoulder; the last fateful sight that would meet my eyes would be Mr. Carle in all his athletic glory, arm raised to throw the balloon at me. But my life was spared that day—Mr. Carle threw that water-filled projective of death at me... and missed! Having no more ammo, he quit his pursuit and retreated back to the teacher bench.

It took me a few minutes to recover, gasping for air with my heart pounding out of my chest. But I will never forget that day, when an innocent seventh-grader's prank went horribly wrong, and Mr. Carle went from an amiable, mellow shepherd of knowledge to a ferocious, lithe predator of rogue students!

On a more serious note, students rarely appreciate teachers until their time in class is long past. I always found history pretty boring; it never had any relevance or practical use to me. But, 8 years later (WOW, 8 years?!), here I am, and my goal is to be a middle school social studies teacher. Whaddya know! Mr. Carle was an excellent teacher; he had unending patience with us, and great creativity in his lesson. I look back on my MLAJA times with great fondness, and each teacher contributed to that experience!

So thank you, Mr. Carle!
Monica Day

 

From April Mooy Stemler

Mr. Carle,

I have always felt sorry that you teach an age group that doesn't appreciate or realize how much you do for them until after they have left your class.  As a faculty kid I had the opportunity to know you as more than just a teacher, but I still regret that I wasn't able to see all that you did for me while I was in your class.  The experiences and educational extras that you give your students are above and beyond your obligations or salary.  You have enriched so many of us with your love and dedication for teaching.  I feel blessed that I was able to be one of your students.  Thank you so much for really caring about us and our education.  I've had many teachers but few that have met up to your standard.  God knew what he was doing when he called you to be a teacher!  Thanks for the memories and outstanding education! 

Love,
April Mooy Stemler

 

From Steve and Bonnie Peterson

Dear Lance,

It feels almost impossible to put into words what you mean to our family but I will give it a try.

Not only have you been a terrific teacher and second "dad" to Scott, you have been and continue to be a wonderful friend to Steve and me.  When I think back over all the years, great memories come to mind........ of Scott and Troy when they were just little munchkins playing here or over at yours and Joanie's house,  all the Easter brunches and Easter egg hunts at our house, making and selling corn dogs as fund raisers during their 7th & 8th grade years, Manner's Banquets, basketball games, the trip to Europe in '99, the hunt for the right school to send them to after 10th grade and then the Auburn years.  Then came PUC and their crazy quest to "fly" with those huge kites!   Glad that idea has kind of faded away over the years.

Now that they are all grown up.....which doesn't seem possible....we can look forward to sharing the "joys" of old age together and making more memories.  You and Joanie have been through more than your fair share of trials and hardships over these last several years and our love and admiration has deepened as we have watched you both handle these experiences with faith and grace.   You are both an inspiration!!!

We wish you all the BEST that life has to offer in the coming years and CONGRATULATIONS on 30 years of a job WELL DONE!! 

Our love and friendship,
Steve and Bonnie

 

From Maggie Hurst Reese

Dear Mr. Carle,

Congratulations! To this day I feel so blessed to be part of your 7th & 8th grade class that has truly changed my life forever. I came in a new student and was not Adventist but you always made me feel welcome and part of the group. I had a blast those two years with you and learned a lot. I loved the trips that you planed that were all tied in with our learning. School was extremely difficult for me but with your guidance and making it interesting I was able to maintain some focus! I then went on to Sonora High School and as you know later found my amazing husband Matt Reese (from Mother Lode Adventist for those who don't know) while in college. Who knew that from my two short years at Mother Lode Adventist I would find my future husband there. Thank you for making a great foundation in my future. I am now 33 years old, Matt and I have 2 1/2 year old girl named Allsion, I am a stay at home mom, and I am trying to get my first book published soon about my battle with bipolar disorder. I don't think anybody could ask for such an awesome teacher! 

Sincerely,
Maggie Reese

 

From Emily Villeda

Dear Lance,

You have outlasted a number of principals here at MLAJA—how many?  These last two years that I have been here haven’t been the easiest ones for you, I’m sure.  In spite of my foibles, however, you have been consistently kind, helpful, and encouraging…and you keep reminding me—or letting me know about—things I forget or jobs that need doing.  Thank you so much for that!  I have you to thank for a number of things…the idea of taking the curriculum class last summer with the University of San Diego, my InterWrite board, my little number pad for my laptop, The First Day of School (which I need to follow better and thus alleviate some of the stress on you, on the students, and on me).

I also really appreciate the way you relate to your students; they like you and are willing to go the extra mile for you (like organizing the chairs in the gym by color!).  They (on the whole) realize that you have their best interests in mind when you require a large amount of work from them…and they produce!  How do you teach so much so well in addition to doing a topnotch job of organizing field trips and graduation?  I don’t know, but I do know one thing—we at MLAJA are fortunate to have you on board!

Thank you for keeping your cool and your sense of humor when life gets crazy. 

Blessings,
Emily Villeda

 

From Chad Bowman

Mr. Carle,

I will never forget those 7th & 8th grade years at MLAJA. I learned so much inside and outside your classroom. Inside the classroom I learned the tools I needed to further my education. Outside the classroom, my learning was reinforced by those great field trips. Thank you so much for caring about your students enough to put in the effort you do into your teaching. I use the things you taught me in school every day. Also, I really appreciate you taking an interest in me even after I left MLAJA. It really made an impact on me when you would stop me in the church foyer and talk to me about what was going on in my life.  I am blessed because of you. In fact, my wife Sandi and my two children Alyse and Taylor are blessed because of you.  Your education enabled me to attend Walla Walla College and meet my wife. Congratulations on 30 years of teaching! May God continue to bless you and bless MLAJA through your superb instruction.

Sincerely,
Chad Bowman, Commercial Airline Pilot

 

From John Mooy

Lifelong friends are a gift from God.  Most of us can count the number of really close friends we have as being fewer than the number of fingers on both hands.  It is these friends with whom we can instantly fall back into comfortable conversation and understanding, without pretense or posturing, though we may not have seen each other for years. Lance Carle is one of those friends God has given me.

I first met him when he came to MLAJA for an interview 31 years ago.  One of my college friends was interviewing for the same job.  After meeting Lance, I still would have voted for my friend.  But God and the personnel committee didn’t feel that way.  And so began a new lifelong friendship with a man much different than I.  He is quiet and reserved while I am outgoing and quite public by nature.  He enjoys solitary sports (like biking) and solitude while I need companionship to do most anything and I avoid too much quietness.  He is a stickler for detail and I’m a generalist, not known for organization.  That we would become close friends seemed an oxymoron—but we did, and it’s been a great blessing to me over the years.

When I moved to Sonora to teach grades 4-6 it was with the agreement that I would teach 7th & 8th grade when the position became available (I saw myself as not really being destined to teach grades lower than that.)  However, it took me less than a year to decide the middle grades were much easier to teach than the older rascals, and when given the choice, I quickly asserted that I would stay with grades 4-6. 

It was into that 7/8 milieu that Lance stepped 30 years ago, following a teacher who only lasted one year and then another who lasted five.  It is my observation that 7th & 8th grade teachers don’t often have much longevity at that grade level at the same school (check the record books.)  The demands and intensity of that aged student quickly burn out many teachers. Lance has not sought popularity but success.  With God’s grace he has met the challenges and provided the stable, consistent environment that those students have needed to graduate and successfully navigate the next steps of education and life.   This age group tends to thrive on pushing boundaries and criticizing those who maintain them   In spite of this he has taken his groups on wonderful trips and activities that I would never have had the energy or fortitude to do.  Admire Lance?  YES, I do!

Of course, most successful men owe a debt of gratitude to supportive and supporting women and Joanie must be acknowledged for her role in Lance’s reaching this milestone we celebrate. 

One of Lance’s mantras that will stick with me forever is, “If we have the rule, let’s enforce it!  If we’re not going to enforce it, then let’s get rid of the rule.”  I have invoked it many times over the years because of his insight.

Lance, I thank you and thank the Lord for this 30-year milestone of your being a consistent and gifted influence in the lives of MLAJA’s students.  We hope for many more.  And thanks for being a lifelong friend. 

John Mooy

 

From Bryan, Julie, Jennifer, and Stacy Lewis

Lance,

Congratulations on thirty years at MLAJA!  You and Joanie have played a very important role in our family.

First, you have been a teacher to our children.  Jennifer and Stacy received a good education from you.  They remembered corny jokes, fun field trips, and your love of the current technology.  Here are a couple of corny jokes for you:  How do you tell a cow is remarkable?  It is out standing in its field!  Why do cows think chefs are mean?  Because they whip cream!  Thanks for teaching our children.

Next, we consider you a friend.  We have shared meals, entertainment, and vacations.  The two tips that you organized to Europe are among our fondest vacations.  Thanks for including us on these trips.  They were well planned, fun, and educational.

Finally, you have been an outstanding colleague to me (Julie).  You were a real mentor when I first started teaching the upper grades and guided me through some tough times.  It was fun to think up projects, go on field trips, and hold parent-teacher conferences together.  You were always looking for a better way to do things.  You made me want to be a better teacher.  Maybe we can teach together again sometime!

So congratulations on a job well done.  Don’t think you can retire now.  We are expecting you to be there another thirty years! 

Bryan, Julie, Jennifer, and Stacy Lewis

 

From Jenny Sundahl

Dear Mr. Carle,

30 years!  Wow!  Thank you so much for all you contribute to MLAJA.  The school is near and dear to me, and I am so glad that Trete is able to be there.  I have very wonderful memories of my years at MLAJA. We went on some pretty great trips in your class.  I still think about them and how much fun we had and all the great things we learned.  I probably didn't appreciate all the things you did and the effort you put in to all us kids when I was a teenager, but now that I'm a parent, I know that I had great experiences with you.  Thank you for being such a dedicated teacher.  You bring a lot to students’ lives, even if they don't know it yet.  Keep up the good work, you are a blessing to MLAJA.  

Thanks,
Jenny Sundahl

 

From Rod, Yvette, Christiana, and Elle Kerbs

The years that our family has known the Carles ...30 in all (F Kerbs and co), I have never met an educator with the energy, caring and commitment as Lance. Personally, I have had the honor of serving with Lance as a fellow teacher, a principal, and consider him a friend. Through happiness, and adversity, no truer a Christian educator. Yvette and I along with our children thank you for your service and Christ-like example in our lives and in the community.

God bless,
Rod, Yvette, Christiana, and Elle Kerbs

 

From Tim and Janet Johnson

Dear Lance,

Congratulations on achieving a milestone that few teachers ever accomplish, thirty years at the same school, teaching 7th and 8th graders!  Then add in a few classes of 9th and 10th grade subjects, and one would think you had plenty of excuses to lose your mind.  But you make it look easy!  It is obvious that you sincerely love teaching and love your students—at least most of the time!  God has really blessed MLAJA and our children through your ministry.

Tim and I especially want to express to you our appreciation for teaching our boys.  They learned a lot about Bible class, history, math, accounting, typing etc., but they learned more than that.  They learned how to study and do term papers and, and as a result, they had the basics to build on when they went to MBA and college.  They learned how to work together on projects such as the fall festival and 8th-grade sale, how to enjoy doing community service, and they benefited from your love of technology.  They groaned at your corny jokes, and now they know how to make their own children groan at their own corny jokes.  It is important for dads to know these things!

They went on wonderful school trips, which they will never forget—outdoor school, history trips, bicycle trips.  It has always seemed incredible that a man would be brave enough to take a bunch of immature students out in public riding on bicycles. It seems like a recipe for disaster, but you have always brought them back—so far!  And what meaningful graduation services you plan!  It seems like over the years each one is more beautiful and meaningful than the one before. 

Janet has enjoyed working with you at MLAJA for fifteen years now, exactly half of your time at MLAJA.  The first year was stressful because of all the new things to learn, including an old Apple computer, but you and Joanie were so supportive and encouraging.  You have contributed so much to the good spirit among the teachers and staff at MLAJA.  It is fun to work together.  We are looking forward to enjoying you and Joanie as friends for many years to come.  

May God continue to bless you!
Tim & Janet Johnson

 

From Bob Chinnock

Lance,

It has been a joy and pleasure to teach with you at MLAJA.  It is sometimes scary to think how much alike we are.  I appreciate your willingness to help any way you can and the time and energy you put into classes and your students.  Bike tours have been a special time and I thank you for letting me drive and not ride my bike.

Your "blood" brother,
Bob Chinnock

 

From Justine Abbott

Mr. Carle,

You are such an inspiring teacher.  What you had to go through, medically, and that you overcame it, is admirable.  You are such a strong person with such an enlightening personality, you'd never know that you were weak at one time.  I only spent 2 years at MLAJA, but I consider myself very lucky to have had you as a teacher for both those years...corny jokes and all.  Thank you for being such a great teacher.  I'll never forget all the awesome memories and the good times I had at MLAJA because of you. Congratulations on 30 fantastic years!  

Love,
Justine Abbott

 

From Leon and Darolene Grabow

OUR TRIBUTE TO LANCE CARLE

You are “One of the Greatest!” 

Time is an amazing thing.  A minute can seem like forever and 30 years can go by in a flash!

Those bicycle trips.  They were planned endurance, without a doubt, and one of the greatest activities you could do with a group of energetic youngsters.

Your annual MLAJA yard sale.  We really were never sure what you did with some of the things we brought you, but you insisted that it all went—you just never told us where!  Always, a job well done and for a worthy cause!

Then there was the arrival of the “Internet,” and you gave Leon his first view of it (at a board meeting, no doubt.) 

And, of course, there was babysitting a young man named Troy.  That was Darolene’s privilege.  He, like his parents, was a great delight!

Your teaching:  Responsible, Innovative, Patient, Christian, Tireless, Interested, Tolerant, Resourceful, and Energetic.  What an honor for Leon to have chaired the board that hired you.

May our Heavenly Father ever bless and cheer you on through the Eternal Gates where your trips will wheel you to the grandest journeys imaginable. 

Leon and Darolene Grabow

 

From Michelle Rickard Smith

Mr. Carle,

WOW!  It’s been thirty years already?!?  I’m glad you’ve been able to teach at MLAJA the whole time.  Ski days were incredibly fun and not all schools have them.  The years I had you as a teacher were memorable ones.  It’s amazing how fast the time goes by. 

Michelle (Rickard) Smith

 

From Phil Grossman

I graduated from Lance's 8th grade class about 18 years ago.  He was a wonderful teacher and I have many great memories.  I really enjoyed his history bike tour and the projects we would work on for the Manners Banquet. 

Congratulations, Lance, on making it to 30 years.
Phil Grossman

 

From Bruce Johnson

Mr. Carle, as we called him, was my 7th & 8th grade teacher back in 1980-81 and 1981-82. Aside from his dry humor, the most impact he had on my life relates to two things:

First, in academics, Mr. Carle was unrelenting in his support for me to compete in the 7th and 8th grade Tuolumne County Math Competition. The event not only pushed me to broaden my understanding of mathematics in new ways, it allowed me to gain self-confidence that would be important throughout my academic career. It was exciting to take 1st place in the competition both years. I think this was the first time I had won anything!

The second area of influence was outside of the academic regime. Mr. Carle had an interest in road cycling which he shared in small ways with me. I became enamored of the bike magazines that occasionally lingered around his desk. This was a seed planted that later would bloom into some of the best experiences of my life: Racing road bikes at the amateur level in graduate school and afterwards, and running an amateur bicycle racing team in San Francisco for seven years. My interest in cycling was sparked through those discussions with Mr. Carle.

Today, cycling remains a huge part of my life, as even now I find myself getting ready for a ride, and looking forward to watching the end of the Giro d'Italia mountain stage. When I think back to how this all got started, I remember those conversations with Mr. Carle with a sense of thankfulness.

Bruce Johnson
May 23, 2009
Monza, Italy

 

From Sean Martin

TEACHER:
"WHERE IS YOUR HOMEWORK?"
STUDENT:
I LOST IT FIGHTING A KID WHO SAID YOU WEREN'T THE BEST TEACHER IN SCHOOL."

CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
BEST WISHES - SEAN MARTIN

 

From Stan and Jeri Baldwin

As the principal of a Junior Academy there are three positions that will make or break your program—your secretary, your first-grade teacher and the seventh/eighth-grade teacher.  The other teachers are important—even vital—but first and eighth are key.  First-grade teachers are important because they lay the foundation of the rest of the child's education.  Eighth-grade teachers are dealing with young people just becoming teens, whose interest in school is waning while interest in their place in society is growing exponentially.

I always admired Lance's ability to take a group of kids who were just becoming teens and kindly, lovingly, consistently herd their exploding hormones into meaningful, helpful, and useful knowledge.  Lance used a variety of methods as simple as classroom desk arrangement (who sat next to each other and who didn't—the assignment often changed!) to planning with parents a local multi-day history trip on bicycles.  Or the short video presentations that took the students hours of time outside of and in class to prepare.  Christianity, teamwork, creativity, calmness, civility, and adaptability were all characteristics of Lance's classroom.

Lance, there are many excellent teachers within the education system, but not so many outstanding seventh and/or eighth-grade teachers. In my book, you are one of the best. Your students were fortunate to have had the opportunity to sit in your class, and I was fortunate to have had you on our staff at MLAJA. 

God Bless, and may He grant you and your wife health, happiness and many grandchildren.
Stan & Jeri Baldwin

 

From the Opsahl Family

I like Mr. Carle because…
Raechel:            “he’s a big softie!”
Myung-ji:          “he has bouncy balls for chairs in his classroom.
Carole:              “he is so fun to annoy!”
Lauren:              “of his corny jokes!”
Lauren:              “of his awesome choice of music.”
Roy:                   “of his great sense of humor.”  (My sense of humor is very similar.)

These are some the reasons Lance Carle is special to us.  Both Lance and Joanie have been such a large part of our lives here at MLAJA—Joanie in Lauren and Raechel’s earlier years and Lance in their later years.  They have learned not only the academics from them but also lessons of life.  The children came to see them not only as teachers, but as real people who have struggles and trials just like everyone else.  They have learned compassion, empathy, and that real life is a give and take situation.  Lance was a big reason the girls chose to stay at MLAJA for their high school years.  We have not had any regrets.

Thank you, Lance, for your time, work, concerns, blood, sweat, and tears!  The girls have said that they will miss you next year!  I will too!  I might have to come to school and sit in your classroom just to annoy you!  Ha! 

The Opsahl family