It was 1956 when Bernardine "Deen" Schrank came to work for Torrance Unified School District. Half a century later, she's still going strong, currently teaching kindergarten at Anza Elementary School.
Recently honored by the district, Schrank is the first Torrance Unified teacher to reach the 50-year service mark.
Speaking of the vast and varied changes she's seen in education over the years, "Deen," as everyone knows her, said that today's kids are "more sophisticated and independent" and noted that, "fifty years ago, most of the curriculum was designed by the individual teachers and creativity was born from having to create."
"Today," she added, "there are more resources, but more requirements and restrictions."
"Change is inevitable," Schrank continued. "We must make friends with change."
Asked what she hopes students will remember of her, she said, "I want them to remember me telling them to never give up."
The 77-year-old Schrank so far has no plans to retire.
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