Zelienople — For Marty Goetz, the Zelienople community is close to her heart.

Retiring after 35 years as a teacher in the Seneca Valley School District, Goetz, 66, serves her community by volunteering to help those in need. She dedicates countless hours each month to a variety of programs.

The parish family at St. Paul Lutheran Church motivates her to keep giving back. “I've been a member of this church my entire life,” Goetz said. “I'm very active here.”

Born in Ellwood City, Goetz visited her grandparents who lived in Zelienople until she moved there at age 8. Early on she knew that teaching would be her profession.

“When I was younger, I loved working and playing with kids,” Goetz said.

When she graduated from high school, she went to Edinboro University.

For 35 years she taught third grade at Evans City Elementary School. During that time, the education system drastically evolved.

“Teachers were very well respected when I first started teaching,” Goetz said. “Parents, no matter what you said, would take it as the law.

“Now, parents have an idea that they don't want their kids to work very hard and they just want it handed to them,” she said.

Another change was how curriculum was coordinated. Goetz found it difficult to include educational activities that engaged students in social interaction and introduced basic skills.

“I didn't have time to fit those activities in when the curriculum said to do this, this and this,” she said. “I think the children learned just as much, if not more, through a fun activity.”

Regardless, her teaching philosophy didn't change. She molded her instruction to fit the curriculum.

“My philosophy was to teach the children the basics and let them have some fun doing it,” she said.

Nearing retirement, Goetz remembered talking with the director of Meals on Wheels and saying that she would volunteer once she retired.

“The month I retired, she called,” Goetz said with a chuckle. “It's funny because when you talk to people about volunteering, they don't forget.”

Her largest responsibility is being chairwoman of the Willing Workers, which raises money and hosts lunches and dinners at the church. The group recently funded the upgrade of Strobel Hall, a building used for church activities.

“We earned enough money to have the whole room repainted,” Goetz said. “We had all the curtains and drapes put in and donated over $5,000 for the new floors.”

She also is a member of the Butler County Meals on Wheels, the Food Cupboard and was chairwoman for the Salvation Army's Presents for Children.

“Every couple months we go and help them (Food Cupboard) load and bring food in. I love it.”

The greatest joy she receives is being able to put a smile on people's faces who need a helping hand or a hot meal.

“The people I have met through Meals on Wheels are so sweet and just appreciate you coming to their house to talk to them,” said Goetz, “All I do is deliver a meal. I love it.”

She said everyone should realize the importance of volunteering and that giving a little brings a lot.

“Sometime down the road I may need Meals on Wheels or the Food Cupboard, or I may need something from the church,” Goetz said “But somebody is going to help me because I volunteered. They are going to volunteer.”

<B>Age:</B> 66<B>Address</B>: Zelienople<B>Family:</B> Husband, Robert<B>Employment: </B>Retired teacher<B>Education:</B> Bachelor’s from Edinboro University and a master’s from Slippery Rock University<B>Interests:</B> Reading and volunteering<B>Quote: </B>“Sometime down the road I may need Meals on Wheels or the Food Cupboard, or I may need something from the church. But somebody is going to help me because I volunteered. They are going to volunteer.”