As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Otterbein Cridersville resident Ethel N. dreamed of being a teacher for her entire life - and then taught for 37 years. Learn more about her story below.
A Lifelong Dream
Ethel knew she would become a teacher at age five when she learned about an aunt who also taught.
“A lot of people say, really, five years old? But it’s true,” she said. “It was my goal. I worked at it, and there were a lot of mountains I had to climb, but I made it.”
Ethel said she taught “all the subjects, really,” beginning with preschool-aged children in the Head Start program. After 10 years, she became a special education instructor and worked in that position for the rest of her 27 years as a teacher.
To this day, Ethel still keeps in touch with the friends she made throughout her career. When the Otterbein Cridersville newsletter goes out into the community, if her photo made an appearance, her friends in the area will give her a call.
Living at Otterbein
Ethel says she loves her patio home and especially the friendships she’s made at the community. Although COVID-19 has changed her schedule, she’s eager to get back to the things she enjoys most.
Ethel stays busy by participating in Bible study, adult coloring, the walking club, and spending time outdoors with friends on campus.
Her favorite activity is visiting the library on campus, where she spends 30 minutes every day studying her Sunday School lesson with the religious materials available.
The Lima native also said the friendships she’s built there are another important part of living at Otterbein.
“I know a lot of people,” she said with a laugh. “That’s what I miss more than anything during this time.”
Ethel said she would recommend the community to anyone who’s interested.
“It’s a fun place, and it’s also a place where you can meet a lot of different people. It’s just a great place to be,” she said.
What is Independent Living Like at Otterbein?
As Ethel mentioned, building relationships with friends and neighbors is just one benefit of life at Otterbein.
Another distinct piece of life at Otterbein is our faith-based mission and values. We were founded in the Methodist tradition in 1912. Everything we do is to enhance the quality of life and holistic growth for older persons. People of all faith traditions and beliefs are welcome here.
You’ll also find opportunities to do what you love most here at Otterbein. Whether you want to spend time doing arts and crafts, volunteering, or just soaking in the sun on campus, you’ll be able to do it here. And every residence is maintenance-free, so you won’t have to spend time mowing the grass, shoveling snow, or handling repairs.
See More About Otterbein Cridersville
Enjoy the peace and quiet of country living at Otterbein Cridersville. We’re situated on 120 acres with plenty of open space and things to do.
Learn about our beautiful community with photos, videos, testimonials, sample calendars, and more.
