Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 135 No. 4 Summer 2014 | Page 6

Deaf Community Connections
EDITOR’S NOTE: WSD aims to develop the whole child: academically, culturally, linguistically, socially, and
emotionally. Highlighted throughout this issue are the importance of Deaf adult role models, and language
models in the bi-lingual setting.

Therese Pohl-Markowitz: Deaf Olympian, Teacher, and Friend
If you are a current or former WSD student or staff member, if you have ever attended a play or a football
game, if you have ever been walking the halls of WSD in the early AM, you know Therese.
The 2013-2014 theme of the Wisconsin Times has been Deaflympics. Although Therese’s alma mater, the
Michigan School for the Deaf, did not have a girl’s track team, as a college student at Gallaudet in 1973,
Therese competed in track and field at the Deaf Olympics (formerly World Games for the Deaf) in Sweden. In
this final year of her career at WSD, Therese coached her 12th WSD girls track team and inspired her athletes
to be the best they can be. The hard work and dedication of an athlete are qualities that are seen in every aspect
of Therese’s life.
For the past 20 years, Tom Armato has been an assistant in Therese’s class. Tom knows first hand how
dedicated Therese is to meeting the needs of her students and everyone with whom she comes into contact.
When asked to describe Therese, Tom responded, “No matter what the task, Therese will take it on willingly.
She finds out exactly what needs to be done and tackles the task wholeheartedly. Therese doesn’t stop when the
task is completed. She always finds a way to go above and beyond what is expected or necessary.” Whether it
is teaching students about budgeting or making costumes for the holiday play, Therese goes the extra mile. She
will not just make a duck costume. She will stuff the costume to make it plump, add feathers and orange tights,
create oversized webbed feet, and a hood that includes a perfect duck beak, still allowing the Deaf student to
see clearly while on stage.
Therese has been designing and sewing eye-popping costumes for WSD productions for many years. One of
Therese’s favorite memories of WSD was the 150th celebration. Sewing SIXTY-FOUR costumes, including
dresses, vests, and skirts was a labor of love. When you see photos of WSD students, staff, and VIPs from
WSD’s 150th celebration, chances are you’ll see Therese’s handiwork.
Therese has held numerous extra curricular positions at WSD. She was the Jr. NAD advisor for 15 years, cheer
sponsor, JV basketball coach, assistant boys track coach, and head girl’s track coach. Therese also helped with
set construction for drama productions and enjoyed her annual stints as part of WSD’s chain gang (holding the
down markers) during home football games.
As she counts down the days until her official retirement, Therese looks forward to diving into some long
overdue home improvements, catching up on all her sewing projects, volunteering with Deaf students, visiting
family more often, and last but not least, getting to know her beloved husband, Dave!
As you retire, Therese, you will be thought of dearly. Visit often and know how much you are loved by all
whose lives you have touched.
Therese Pohl-Markowitz:
THEN
NOW
&
FOREVER

2013-14 Summer - 6