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GILFORD
TEACHER
Mike
Zulauf: Teacher in the Spotlight
By RICH BERGERON
Staff Writer - Laconia Foster's Citizen
GILFORD — Mike Zulauf knows the meaning of selflessness. A
dedicated high school teacher who loves his job, Zulauf does not
stop working when he leaves school. Zulauf was recently named the
district’s "Teacher in the Spotlight" for the winter
season.
Zulauf devotes some of his time outside the school to coaching soccer.
He coaches at both Belmont elementary school and at Belmont middle
school. A Belmont resident, Zulauf has also signed on to be a coach
for "Belknap United," an indoor soccer group including
students from Belmont, Gilford, Gilmanton, and Canterbury. The 13
teams in the group compete at an indoor rink in Bow.
When he’s not coaching, Zulauf works with the community. Mike
works closely with the Gilford Historical Society. His students
organize oral presentations about the town’s history, and
sometimes the students even get their hands dirty. Zulauf once had
his students shovel out several feet of sand from the basement of
an historical building in Gilford Village. The Taylor Home, an assisted
living facility, also benefits from Zulauf’s devotion to history.
Zulauf is active in the Generations program there, and he collects
oral histories of the home’s residents.
Hailing from Hastings, N.Y., Zulauf earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree
in history and a Master’s Degree in teaching. He arrived at
Gilford High School in 1986 and has taught for more than 25 years.
He says his greatest reward comes when he sees his students "understanding
the concepts and showing growth."
The greatest challenge Zulauf faces is dealing with the government’s
place in education. He claims government intervention in state frameworks
and assessments have brought about the most changes in his profession.
He argues that the government asks too much from teachers while
funding is too low. He points out that teacher shortages in the
state and the country are a result of a lack of commitment from
government to pay for new people and programs.
Zulauf is also the advisor for the Youth and Government Club. Perhaps
the best lesson he teaches students is in the example he sets. Always
willing to do a little more, he says the hardest part of teaching
is "trying to do too much in too little time."
Rich Bergeron can be reached by calling 524-3800 ext. 5932 or by
e-mail at rbergeron@citizen.com
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