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Beloved Carroll H.S. teacher retires after 53 years

A teacher at Carroll High School is in a league of his own: He’s stepping down after more than a half century at the head of the class.

Jim Hemmert started teaching English a year after the Roman Catholic high school opened its doors in 1961 at 4524 Linden Ave., in Dayton. This year marked his 53rd.

“I didn’t notice. They went really fast,” he said.

He grew up on a farm outside Botkins and had no clue what to study at the University of Dayton. When it came time to register, his impatience with long lines led to his career choice.

“I went in the empty line and registered in education,” he said.

At Carroll High School, he taught English and related courses. Among his students: his own five children and several grandchildren. As a senior, NewsCenter 7 anchor Cheryl McHenry said she took Hemmert’s creative writing class.

Students say they will remember him for encouraging them to find their own writing voice.

“He always had the phrase: ‘Don’t be a pig in a jar’ while writing, so to be unique in your writing style,” said Nathan Price, a senior.

Students also aren’t likely to forget Hemmert’s trademark yellow sweater, given to him in 1969 after the varsity basketball team beat arch rival Alter High School.

At 77, decades separate Hemmert and his students, but he is able to bridge the gap.

“Just his compassion and his deep love of his subject matter, but more importantly, of his students,” said Principal Matt Sableski.

Hemmert has been in the same building so long that three daughters and some of his former students are now his co-workers.

Pam Tipps, director of advancement at Carroll, said she appreciates her former teacher in a different way as an adult.

“He is loyalty. He’s dedication. He is hardworking. He’s not flashy. He’s Carroll High School,” said Tipps. “He’s a classic. That’s all you can say.”

Hemmert said he gets winded climbing three flights of stairs. His body is telling him it’s time to go, and he said his mind has no regrets about staying so long.

“My life was full,” he said.

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