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Reservist eager to return to classroom

By Lisa Scheller - | Nov 12, 2003

Lisa Scheller/Mirror photo

Exuberant students in Pam Fields' third-grade class rushed to greet Jeremy Goebel Monday morning when he visited Tonganoxie Elementary School. Students pictured clockwise from far left are, Emily Minear, Sarah Smith, Chantel Sample, Sierra Baber, Madison Cunningham, Kylee Wilson and Leah Cugno. Pictured in the background is Goebel's wife, Lisa. Goebel is the school's physical education teacher who was called into active duty earlier this year. He is expected to return to Tonganoxie and resume his teaching position in late January.

Jeremy Goebel was greeted with hugs and squeals.

Goebel, Tonganoxie Elementary School’s physical education teacher who was called to active duty in February, stopped by the school Monday morning to say hello to his kids — all 800 of them.

Goebel is just one of the area’s servicemen who have returned, or soon will return, home for a visit. He and his wife, Lisa, made a personal visit to every classroom Monday. That is, after he took the time to have a good-natured arm wrestling match with TES principal Jerry Daskoski.

“I can’t wait to have you all in class when I get back,” Goebel told students in Denise Smith’s kindergarten class. “When I come back we’ll do lots of activities.”

Early this year, Goebel, who is in the Army Reserves, was called into active duty. Since then, he’s been stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Lisa Scheller/Mirror photo

Jeremy Goebel, right, and Tonganoxie Elementary School principal share a round of arm wrestling during Goebel's Monday morning visit to the school. Also pictured is Goebel's wife, Lisa Goebel.

Goebel told students that in the Army he’s had to work out every day. For instance, he runs four to six miles each morning. In the kindergarten class of Debbie Wedel, Goebel demonstrated how he can do 20 pushups — and he even did it with a smile on his face.

In talking to students in Sara Moraille’s class, Goebel compared his work to that of a substitute teacher.

“The regular Army people went overseas and we stayed there and did their jobs,” Goebel said.

He’s treasured letters written by all of the children.

“I showed them to all my soldier friends and I bragged about you,” Goebel told the students.

Lisa Scheller/Mirror photo

In the kindergarten class of Debbie Wedel, Jeremy Goebel demonstrated how he can do 20 pushups, with a smile on his face.

His wife, Lisa, said there’s been a lot of mail.

“Every time I go out there, I bring back his mail,” she said, noting she’s bought large plastic containers to store the letters.

The couple is expecting their first child to be born at the end of March, and Goebel is supposed to return to Tonganoxie and resume his work at the elementary school in January.

“I’m ready for him to come home,” Lisa said. “I’m just glad he’ll be home for the birth of our baby.”