Saying goodbye: Hughes ponders her time at Viterbo

In July 2020, education professor Susie Hughes will be retiring from her position at Viterbo. Hughes has been at Viterbo since 2011, but she has been teaching for more than 30 years. She began her career teaching special education in Indiana before moving to Ohio for ten years. Ohio was then followed by Pennsylvania for about five years; then she moved to Michigan for another five years. After this, she taught in Minnesota and Illinois before finally ending up here in cozy La Crosse. Before making her way to Viterbo, Hughes then shared her wisdom with students at the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse while she finished her doctorate. After earning her doctorate, she landed here at Viterbo, where she has worked for the last eight years.

Throughout her time at Viterbo, Hughes has taught special education to undergraduate students, while teaching research at the graduate level- both of which she loves dearly. When asked about her favorite aspect of teaching here, the professor replied that it was connecting with the students. Hughes followed that by saying that the graduate students are her opportunity to stay connected to what is going on in the schools. She also finds this connection with her undergraduate students through field experience and supervising student teachers. She finds this extremely fulfilling stating, “I just love working with the students so much.”

When it comes to retirement, she is looking forward to the flexibility it offers, being able to travel more, and having more time to keep up with her grandchildren. She and her husband have eight wonderful granddaughters, the oldest is a sophomore in high school, and Hughes is very excited to have more time to attend all of their activities as they progress through school. Her husband has already retired, so it will also be nice for them to be able to share more time together.

Reflecting on her time here on Viterbo’s campus, she says that she never really thought about retiring; she just knew that she would know when it was the right time, and she did. “I’ve really loved my time here at Viterbo,” she says. “The school of education is a really great place.” Hughes reflected that “it’s like a home here, as faculty members, we are all pretty close, and the students as well. It’s been a really good place for me to end my career.”

Susie Hughes’ love for teaching is evident for students who have been lucky enough to sit in her classes. Her students will surely feel her absence when she is gone.