Retiring, but Yuman is still making music

For the past 44 years David Toensing has taught youngsters, not just while standing in front of the blackboard but while on bended knee as well.
 
Toensing has always taught children the three Rs, but he's also prayed with his students and has always faithfully included a subject he says is surpassed by no other.
 
"I want the kids to know about Jesus Christ," the Yuma educator said. "A lot of people say they believe in God, but until they believe in Jesus Christ it doesn't mean a thing. Lots of people believe in God."
 
For 29 years Toensing as been the answer to the prayers of parents at Yuma Lutheran School, where the veteran educator has lovingly brought lessons of both heaven and earth to his classroom.
 
"We pray in the classroom, if they have a problem in their lives or with each other," he said. "Or we might just pray coming in from the playground because they had trouble out there."
 
These days, however, parents' prayers at Yuma Lutheran School may be focused more on getting Toensing to change his mind - about retirement. At the end of this school year, Toensing will clear out his desk, turn off the lights and lock up his classroom door for the last time. For the first summer break in decades, Toensing won't be coming back and he's honestly not sure how that's going to feel.
 
"I guess I'll find out in a few days," he told The Sun, laughing softly. "Being with the kids has always been fun. I like coming here because of the kids, fooling around with them, teasing them, just having fun and learning."
 
Then Toensing stops, thinks seriously for a moment and then laughs again. He plans to keep playing organ for the church and leading two choirs, so just in case he needs a kid fix, the fact that the church and school share a campus will prove quite handy.
 
"Oh, I'll probably be down here every day!"
 
Toensing, affectionately known by his students as "Mr. T," will also soon be treated to a special celebration that promises to not only be attended by lots of kids, but hordes of former kids who learned under his wing and want to celebrate his dedication to Yuma education.
 
That party is planned for 3 p.m. June 7 at Christ Lutheran Church, 2555 S. Engler Ave. Organizers say the public is invited.
 
"We would love to see lots of former students come to his retirement party," said Karen Markin, principal at Yuma Lutheran School. "He truly is a servant. He is a strong Christian and this is a calling. Teaching isn't just a job for him. It's a calling and he loves it and the kids love him. People don't leave his classroom without knowing they are loved."
 
Toensing is the first to admit that retiring won't be easy, but he's always a practical man who says the time has simply come.
 
"It's time. I thought 44 years was enough," he said simply enough.
 
Teaching has held a spot in Toensing's heart all these years, but it turns out that the love of education stirs in his blood, too.
 
"My dad was a teacher. His father was a teacher. My sister and her husband were teachers, my ex-wife is a teacher and her father was a teacher. So it's kind of in all of us."
 
But being a teacher wasn't his dream as a youngster.
 
"When I was a kid, I wasn't thinking about being a teacher. I wanted to be a cowboy or baseball player - or a bus driver."
 
Toensing grew up in St. Louis, where he graduated from high school in 1961. He later graduated from Concordia Teachers College outside Lincoln, Neb.
 
After doing some graduate work at the St. Louis Institute of Music, he found his first teaching job in St. Louis. He taught there for eight years, followed by the same period of time teaching in Los Angeles.
 
He came to Yuma Lutheran School in 1980.
 
Toensing has always taught at Lutheran schools, a decision that certainly wasn't made by coincidence.
 
"I think it would be hard for me to teach somewhere I couldn't talk about Jesus and my faith and tell the kids. That's what makes us different."
 
In addition to teaching several grades at Yuma Lutheran, the job of principal was also Toensing's for six years.
 
"There are just great people here," he said, explaining why he stayed at Yuma Lutheran for so many years. "The people here have been very supportive of this school. They are great people and I've just loved the kids."
 
But that career in education is about to end, leaving Toensing nostalgic about the past but pretty optimistic for the future. He says he's excited to spend more time with his children and grandchildren, plus keep busy making music at the church. He also loves going to the opera.
 
"I'm sure I'm going to be busy," Toensing said, smiling. "I'm going to play golf, read - and sleep late."