Greenfield-Central High School staff and students were saddened to hear that longtime substitute teacher Carolyn Haas passed away suddenly this week. Haas had worked primarily at the high school almost daily since the early 1990s.
Submitted photo
GREENFIELD — Staff and students were saddened to hear that a longtime substitute teacher who served Greenfield-Central High School for the past three decades passed away suddenly this week.
Carolyn Haas had been subbing at the high school since the early 1990s. She worked there every day last week.
High school principal Jason Carey said Haas was “an institution” at the school.
“Everyone loved Carolyn. It was a big shock to this building to hear that she had passed away,” he shared Tuesday afternoon.
Greenfield-Central school board member John Rihm, who taught at the high school from 1976 to 2018, said Haas was always his first pick when he needed a substitute teacher for his class.
“She was one of the best subs I ever had. She always followed the teacher’s plans, and the kids respected her. You always knew things were going to go well if she was your sub,” he said.
Rihm said Haas was known for her cheerful, upbeat disposition, but still ran a tight ship in the classroom.
“She felt that respect between the teacher and students should go both ways, and the kids did respect her,” he said.
Haas, who was 78, was also known for her sweet disposition at the Tractor Supply store in Greenfield where she worked part-time.
Carey said Haas continued substitute teaching well into her 70s because she loved the work.
“Carolyn was the kind of person who made connections with her students … She subbed almost every single day, and she loved it. She loved being with the kids, and they loved her right back,” said the principal.
“There were a lot of tears this morning when everyone found out that she had passed away. She was a special person, and she left her mark on this place. We sure are going to miss her.”
One of her colleagues, retired radio and TV teacher Bill McKenna, said the longtime substitute was beloved by staff and students alike.
“She was loved by the teachers because she was known for really helping kids with the assignments and doing the lessons, but the main thing was the students liked her,” he said.
The school system’s superintendent, Dr. Harold Olin, agreed.
“She was a very familiar face to our students for many years. She made good connections with young adults, and our students enjoyed spending time with her,” he said.
When McKenna recently started subbing at the school, Haas was there to lend encouragement.
“I see her in the hall at the end of day and she says, ‘Don’t worry, Bill. You’ll figure it out.’ It was encouragement that meant a lot,” he said.
