Mr. Steve Riley
by Sharon Keagy
March 21, 2008
Lecompton Elementary School
Physical Education Teacher
Hey, it’s a school day in September 2008, and there goes Steve Riley running down those streets around Lawrence! What’s going on? Oh, he’s retired. He can run whenever and wherever he wants (well, almost), because he is retired.
At the end of this 2007-2008 school year, Steve will be retiring after 31 years working in USD #343 as a physical education teacher. He said that one of the joys of being here for so many years is teaching the children of former students…not any grandchildren that he knows of.
When he began his career here, he was teaching P.E. for three schools daily—Grantville, Williamstown, and Perry Elementary. Next came those three and Lecompton Elementary. Then he would trade off with Lecompton and Perry Elementary Schools. About five years ago, he was able to remain daily at Lecompton Elementary School only.
What he has noticed changing over the years is that in the beginning of his career, P.E. focused more on sports, e.g. basketball, etc. Over the years, P.E. involves a lot more skills, games, and social interaction. The goals are more for lifetime skills—attitudes in emphasizing the need to exercise daily and to live a healthy lifestyle. Whether a child has high abilities in an area is not as important as helping them understand the need to remain active and fit. Steve stated that to do this you have “to recognize it is something you have to consciously do to help form the habits early.”
So, a long teaching career comes to an end…a closed door. What is the door opening for retirement? Well, naturally, running will remain a huge part of his and his wife, Marcia’s (retired USD #343 teacher) lives. They will direct the Lawrence Half-Marathon and help with some other road races. He still averages about ten miles a day running, but he said it definitely takes him longer. This writer hurts just thinking of running ten miles.
Steve and Marcia Riley will be taking some time to determine where they will travel, too. They have always been quite the world travelers. Europe, Alaska, South America and Central America are on the upcoming list.
Oh, by the way, Marcia has promised that Steve can get a new motorcycle for both of them to travel in the good ole U.S.A. Now, another decision for Steve…which motorcycle? He has some ideas already.
