“Supporting Role” – Mr. Witt’s Chapter Comes to a Close

Photos courtesy of HHS Staff, Tiger Yearbook, and Tiger Cub.

At the back of room 222, drawings, cards, and charms decorate the wall. They seem unrelated to one another, even random. But upon closer inspection, there is one similarity between all of them:

“To Mr. Witt”

Throughout his years teaching, English teacher David Witt has received thank-you letters and notes of encouragement from students, teachers, and administrators. Some he hangs on his classroom walls; most are stored in a box at his home, kept for others to possibly read at his future funeral.

“I can’t stand to throw them away,” Witt said. “… that’s my real legacy — what I’ve done to make others’ lives better.”

That legacy, however, is one Witt knows is nearing its final pages.

At the end of the 2025-2026 school year, Witt will retire and part ways with Hastings High, a decision he wrestled with for seven years after first becoming eligible for Nebraska’s early retirement benefits.

“I don’t know… I’m not sure where it turned,” Witt said while tracing circles on his desk. “I was one of those [teachers] counting down to age 55… and I was sure I was going to retire. I don’t know if I had a good year or if I was just too lazy to quit, but then it was just another year, and another year, and another year.”

For Witt, those years have added up to 39, making teaching the longest chapter of his life — one defined by the students who fill it.

“Students have been my whole life…” Witt said with a rising, drawn-out tone. “Since I’ve been five-years-old… I’ve lived according to the bells, within a certain space at a certain time. ‘That sounds horrible! Why would a person subject themselves to that?’ Well, it must be the people you’re working with, and so those are the students. I’m sure I’m going to miss them because otherwise, why would you want to live a life like that?”

That life began at Columbus High School, where he founded the school’s debate team, became its coach, and eventually watched one of his students reach nationals.

“Seeing those first students win competitions — even just winning rounds or doing well — and their confidence… that was the initial thing that really showed me that I was where I should be,” Witt said.

One instance, in particular, stands out to Witt. At a state debate tournament, one of his students advanced to the quarterfinals.

“She came around the corner, [and] she was so excited that she knocked me over, just rammed into me! And, we both went down,” Witt said with a grin. “That was a huge moment for me, even though she went out in that round or the next round — the fact that she was so excited about it.”

After 12 years at Columbus, Witt concluded one part of his chapter and started a new one at Hastings High, where he joined the English department and continued coaching debate. Though he stepped away from coaching four years later, he found some of his most meaningful moments simply teaching his everyday classes.

“It’s rewarding to see them do well on the ACT or get into colleges,” Witt said. “But a lot of the time, it’s those students I feel I can do more for — those who are struggling, either with behaviors or academics — who I can help get to a level where they’re satisfied and where they’re happy.”

For similar reasons, he is drawn to his supported English 9 class, where he meets students at eye-level and provides them with the support they need — something he believes is the essence of teacherhood.

“It’s very often one of my favorite classes,” Witt said. “Partially because I have a partner and I love co-teaching, and just partially because you can make so much progress when they’re struggling at that level.”

One assignment he especially enjoys is a mini-presentation called ‘The Passion Project.’

“They’re all upset when they find out they have to do it,” Witt said. “[But then] I watch them be really excited even though it’s just a little assignment, and those kinds of moments are big… students realizing their potential.”

Moments like these have shaped how Witt views his place in the classroom. He often sees himself as the supporting character rather than the protagonist of a story. Yet, he is not troubled by that perspective; the story does not feel any less like his own.

“When I see students realizing their potential, I’m more proud of them than I am for myself,” Witt said. “[But] I’ve always kind of been a support person… I always like playing second trombone more than I like playing lead trombone.”

Over the course of 27 years at Hastings High, that perspective was tested as the school setting changed for both the better and worse, specifically with technology.

“Technology has made so much possible in education and communication… But, we’re still in the stage at which we are trying to figure out how best to harness it,” Witt said. “I’m not pointing fingers at students or teens. It’s a societal phenomenon, one that affects me, as well. I truly think technology can be an addiction if we let it be.”

As an English teacher, technology introduced new challenges to the classroom, such as cheating and plagiarism. Although frustrating at times, Witt viewed these moments differently.

“I think those who are relying on [AI] are the ones who are struggling in the first place,” Witt said. “I used to see it as a personal attack on me almost, like, ‘I’m gonna get him!’ and now, I see it almost as a cry for help.”

Encounters like these have impacted not only his teaching style but how he views students’ behavior in general.

“I think any human is a blessing and a curse.… So, I think putting that on students as people comes from the fact that, as you get older… you may not remember that one time you were kind of squirrely and whatever it is you’re not liking about your students,” Witt said. “I get frustrated with my students. I’m sure they get frustrated with me. But again, it’s just a part of human nature.”

Besides, Witt partly feels like he owes it to his students — the energy they bring to the classroom or his Table Top Club; the fresh viewpoints at Books and Bagels; and the long passed but not forgotten chats over coffee with his old debate team.

“I think working with students everyday kind of keeps you — it’s kind of cliche — but kind of young at heart… [and] I don’t want to turn into a grumpy old person,” Witt said with a wheeze. “I look in the mirror, and I can’t believe that old guy looking back at me because that’s not how I feel.”

At times, Witt regrets being unable to continuously build closer relationships with his students over four years, which is something he could have done if he kept coaching debate. Though, one thing Witt will never regret is making the decision to pursue teaching.

“I think it is one of the most fulfilling careers,” Witt said, stressing his words. “For some people, if there’s no money involved, or fame, or advancement, or whatever, that’s not fulfilling… [but] I haven’t even really felt the desire to be a principal or administrator because I think teaching is right where the rubber hits the road. Where you’re in the trenches, as they say, you’re doing the most good.”

Ultimately, he feels he accomplished his goals as an educator: encouraging students to achieve success and nurturing their motivation.

“I know this all sounds fake when I say it. It sounds fake that my goals are for other people, but they really are,” Witt said with a quiet, genuine tone. “You don’t do it for the money. You’re not going to get rich doing it.”

Although still difficult, Witt feels ready to conclude his chapter having met his goals. He said the next time you see him, he’ll be in another — maybe shorter — chapter of his life, exploring new passions and spending time with his wife, Rosemarie, who he met 41 years ago at Central Wyoming College.

“She came in wearing that purple dress, and I said, ‘Who is that?’ They said, ‘Oh, that’s just Rose,’ and I said, ‘What do you mean just Rose?’” Witt said.

Witt plans on putting any new stories on hold and spending the first six months to a year of retirement focusing solely on the recovery of his wife, because she has been experiencing health issues recently.

“I don’t want to retire and not have any time to enjoy with my wife,” Witt said. “… There may be other places that we want to see, other things we want to do.”

But, he is alright with that. After all, Witt is no stranger to the ‘supporting role.’

“When I’ve had a hand in someone else’s success… that’s what makes me happiest, and that’s what makes me most proud…” Witt said with a soft smile.