In 1988, Marcia Schulte moved to Mount Olive with her family, not yet knowing she would become one of the district’s most influential educators. Now, more than three decades later, she prepares to retire, leaving behind a legacy of early childhood education and community leadership that will resonate long after she steps out of the classroom.

Mrs. Schulte’s path into teaching wasn’t a straight line, but it was always marked by a deep commitment to children’s learning. Originally from Gillespie, she worked alongside her family in their business while raising three boys. Her husband worked in the coal mines, and the Schulte family quickly became involved in Mount Olive’s schools and community.

Her journey as an educator began at a Lutheran school in Staunton, where she taught for three years, covering everything from pre-K to junior high science. It was during this time that she recognized her passion for early education. Encouraged by the need for special education teachers in the public school system, she pursued additional coursework at SIU, making a bold leap into special education at Mount Olive Junior High. She soon transitioned to pre-K and kindergarten, where she would leave her most lasting impact.

Mrs. Schulte spent 14 years teaching kindergarten, a role she loved. But one particular year changed everything.

Learning foundations being so critical to the years that follow, Mrs. Schulte noticed an opportunity to work with pre-K students to better prepare them for the years ahead, and without hesitation, she dived back in, head-first.

Mrs. Schulte transferred back to pre-K, determined to focus on these foundations. Over the next several years, she and her colleagues saw real, measurable improvements, the result of a few environmental adjustments and a renewed commitment to structured learning that ensured students entered kindergarten prepared. The impact was immediate.

Her return to pre-K was about setting a new standard. She and her principal worked together to improve the program, and when the state came in to evaluate it, they earned a gold-level rating—the highest distinction possible. That recognition has remained intact ever since.

Precisely because Pre-K is such a critical piece in the foundation of a child’s education, Mrs. Schulte wants to make sure that pre-K is included in the school identity. ‘We’re not just a K-12 District, she tells me, ‘We’re a Pre-K-12 District; Pre-K isn’t an afterthought—it’s where it all begins.”

Through her leadership, the program has gained visibility, and parents now see it as an essential step in their child’s education. Last year alone, Mrs. Schulte’s program sent 27 students to kindergarten—many already reading, recognizing sight words, and even starting to grasp basic multiplication.

Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Schulte has long been a force in Mount Olive. She served as union president for 11 years, leading through a difficult teacher strike that reshaped the district. She’s also an alderman, working in local government for the past 15-20 years.

For Mrs. Schulte, the motivation is the same as it’s always been—building something stronger for the next generation. Whether in the classroom or in city hall, she’s spent her life shaping Mount Olive’s future.

A Legacy That Lasts
As she prepares to step away from the classroom, Mrs. Schulte reflects on what she’s been a part of.

“We’ve done good,” she says simply. “The kids are prepared, the program is strong, and I know I’m leaving it in a good place.”

That’s the kind of legacy most teachers dream of—a life’s work that will continue to shape young minds and a community that will always remember the difference she made.