Peetie remembered something called the common trust from the old campus, which was essentially an unwritten rule that students wouldn’t cheat. So I worked with Upper School English teachers Peetie Basson and Rosie Lyons to see if we could put something together.
At that time, there was some turmoil in the Upper School and I was asked to write an honor code to provide some cohesive direction for the division. In the mid 1990s I was asked to serve as the Upper School dean of students. What guided you in the instrumental role of helping to develop the school’s Common Trust? But the Middle School kids would always come in happy and ready to go. With Upper School kids, there’s just not the same energy or enthusiasm. If they saw you as a good teacher and if they respected you, you could play around and have fun while learning. But I had to develop classroom management techniques to harness their energy. I learned that if I could relate to them, talk with them, and gain their trust, they could do amazing things. I just found that Middle School kids have a tremendous amount of energy, and I appreciated their sassiness. You’ve held many roles at USM, in Middle School, Upper School, and administration, but you especially love Middle School. I got the job, with the salary of $15,500, and started at USM in the fall of 1985.
The ad didn’t even mention the school’s name. So I saw an ad in the newspaper for a private school seeking a 6th and 7th grade math teacher. Why did you leave MPS?Īt MPS I taught all subjects, including music, but I really wanted to only teach math. We also celebrate additional faculty and staff members below, whose dedication and service to USM have made it such a special place to learn and work.īefore coming to USM, you taught 5th grade at a Milwaukee Public School. His presence was a reassuring source of stability for colleagues, students, and parents, and we are forever indebted to him for his leadership and commitment to USM. He led the school in a variety of ways and oversaw major indoor and outdoor construction projects, including the Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration, Jack Olson ’67 Commons, and Wildcat Park.
After 37 years of dedication to University School of Milwaukee, Assistant Head of School Gregg Bach has hung up his colorful neckties and stored away his button-down shirts for a more relaxed life in retirement.