Howell Retires

Posted Date: 05/20/2021

Retiring from USD 264: Carol Howell

After 32 years in education, with 20 of those years at USD 264, elementary music teacher Ms. Carol Howell will retire at the end of this school year. Before coming to Clearwater, she taught K-12 choir and music in Loomis, Nebraska. She has been our preschool - 3rd grade music teacher for all 20 years in the district. 

Her favorite activity that she has done in her classroom was producing the PE/Music program for 10 years with Mrs. McDaneld. They used music and movement along with bal-avis-x and manipulatives like scarves, balls, rhythm sticks, etc. to improve students’ social skills, eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills, etc. All preschool - 3rd grade students performed together to a packed house in the high school gym nearly every year. 

From Howell, “I love the relationships the schools inspire between the middle school and high school students with the elementary students. When they do things together or even see each other at a ball game, it’s so awesome to see the difference each one makes for the other.” 

K-3rd students performing at the Clearwater Fall Festival.

Students use scarves at a concert.
 

When asked how her career surprised her, Howell responded, “It surprised me how much my career became a part of me. Everything I have done in life seems to revolve around my students. It has never felt like going to a job for me.”

Howell with her family.

Howell’s future plans are to  “marry my best friend this summer.” Other than that she is not sure what her next adventure will be. She said, “I only hope it’s as awesome as this last one.”

Thank you for influencing students in music and life. You make us #ClearwaterProud.