Phyllis Venghaus Retires from Parents as Teachers/Stanzel Family Foundation

How do you sum up a lifetime of unselfish dedication? Phyllis Venghaus is a “Character Without Question” (even good when no one is looking) and while maintaining a program of integrity, she has kept us laughing!” said Lucy Stanzel, founder of the Schulenburg/Weimar Parents as Teachers Program (PAT).

Phyllis joined PAT in 2006 as a Parent Educator. Prior to this role, she worked in area schools for 24 years and in healthcare before that. During her time with PAT, Phyllis held 3,967 home visits with children and directly served hundreds of families.

She took on the major role as Director of the PAT Program in 2016, following in Lucy Stanzel’s footsteps. Lucy, as founder of Parents as Teachers, handpicked Phyllis to lead and grow the program.

“Phyllis gives her mind, soul and heart to whatever she believes in, and she does believe in Church, Family, Community and the Parents as Teachers Program” said Lucy Stanzel. “She grew the PAT Program in many ways and extended it to the area Day Cares and Family Learn and Play Rooms making sure it remained a National Blue Ribbon Affiliate [the highest designation a program can earn]. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and we have all benefited as she has enough energy to share.”

Juanita Duchicela shared her experience working with Phyllis through the Learn & Play Rooms at the Schulenburg and Weimar elementary schools. “Phyllis worked persistently every year, talking to the administrations to secure a room in their school. We continually brainstormed about how to make the Learn and Play Room a place of fun and learning for everyone. I can’t thank her enough for always being there, ready to step in and encouraging me to enjoy my time with the children and their parents.”

Susie Speed had the benefit of being one of Phyllis’ longtime families. She gratefully expressed: “I was a young mom of three working the graveyard shift with a three-year-old who was very eager to go to school with her siblings. So God sent us a teacher: Mrs. Phyllis. She came to us and even invited my daughter to go to the “big” school. My baby girl was so excited and always looked forward to visits from her teacher and going to the Learn and Play Room. Mrs. Phyllis is one of my favorite people in the world. She has the energy of a 20-year-old and I know her grandchildren are going to love every minute of spending time with their awesome Grandma.”

When asked about her experience with PAT, Phyllis said: “Being a home visitor is a ministry to me. I want all children to start school with the same learning opportunities because I know how important the early years are. If parents wait until their child is four, they miss prime brain-building opportunities which will now unfortunately hinder their child’s success in school. They need to work with them in their early years.

“My greatest joy is to see the families thrive. Years fly by quickly and after a child graduates from PAT, I always look for the child’s name on the honor roll, which definitely brings a smile to my face.”

Current educators who have had the pleasure of working with Phyllis, further shared:

“Phyllis has a heart for children and their development, she puts so much time and effort to make sure every child grows to their full potential by helping their parents. She is a true leader and advocate for PAT. “-Josue Rivas

“Phyllis knows everyone and everything-just ask her! I was blessed and mentored by a woman who gives us 100% physically to PAT. She doesn’t stop there; she gives 200% from her heart to her co-workers and families.” - Jan Whitten

After 16 years with PAT, Phyllis Venghaus is retiring at the end of June to become a fulltime grandmother to six wonderful grandchildren with which she has been blessed. Phyllis plans to continue to support the program as a volunteer.

Upon Phyllis’ retirement, words cannot express how truly grateful the Stanzel Family Foundation is to have had such an amazing leader directing the Schulenburg/Weimar Area Parents as Teachers Program. We all thank her for her dedication, diligence, and untiring devotion.