Senior Connections October 2018
Snell retires after 40 years of teaching
BY STARRLA CRAY
Associate Editor
In 1978 , Tom Snell got an offer to teach industrial arts at Holy Trinity High School in Winsted . He had never been to the community before , and didn ’ t know anyone in town .
Now , it ’ s a different story . Snell has made all kinds of connections in Winsted , and often sees former students who are employed locally .
“ You can just about go through every business in town and you ’ ll find somebody ,” Snell commented .
When Snell accepted the job 40 years ago , he assumed he ’ d move on after a couple years . He ended up being happy with the position , though , and stayed with it long-term .
Snell started easing into retirement two years ago by cutting back to part-time hours . He officially
‘ At the beginning of the year , I find out what students are interested in , and create a program for each student ’ s interests .’
– Tom Snell
retired at the end of the 2017-18 school year , and a celebration in his honor took place July 1 . ( The reception also honored fellow retiring teacher Marv Ebensperger .)
Snell is originally from Superior , WI . His family moved a few times during his childhood , and he went to high school in the Coon Rapids area .
Snell ’ s mother was an elementary and junior high school teacher , which Snell said probably influenced his own career choice . While his mother taught all subjects , Snell was drawn to “ hands-on ” classes .
“ If it ’ s something I could build , or something I could take apart , that ’ s what I would do ,” he said .
After high school graduation , Snell served in the military from 1969 to 1973 .
“ I was a security specialist ,” Snell said , adding that he was stationed in Germany and England .
Once he got back home , Snell went to college . He married his wife , Gwen , in 1977 , and accepted the job at Holy Trinity a year later . He described his first year of teaching as a “ whirlwind .”
The best part was being able to teach practical skills . Students built sheds and garages in the early days , and even built a house once .
“ At the beginning of the year , I find out what students are interested in , and create a program for each students ’ interests ,” Snell said . Years later , students have come back to tell Snell how much his classes have helped them in their careers .
In addition to industrial arts , Snell also taught some film photography classes . Snell was involved in students ’ lives as a coach , too . He spent 15 years coaching various levels of volleyball , and about eight
Tom Snell recently retired from Holy Trinity High School after 40 years of teaching .
PHOTO BY STARRLA CRAY
years leading junior high boys ’ basketball .
Although he won ’ t be at Holy Trinity when school starts this fall , Snell is not worried about finding enough to do . Whether it ’ s fishing on the lake , restoring his 1968 MGB , or spending time with his three kids and five grandkids , Snell said “ I ’ m definitely going to keep busy .”
He ’ s also considering opening a side business that he can run on his own schedule , such as restoring flooring for boats .
When asked if he had any advice for new teachers , Snell shared some words of wisdom : “ Take it slow . Listen to your peers and your students , and go from there . Take a big breath .”
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Senior Connections October 2018
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