Helen Sissel didn’t just volunteer to sponsor the Class of 2029 — she mapped out a plan to do so alongside her retirement.
“I could actually retire in four years,” Sissel said. “And I thought, how cool would that be if I were the freshman sponsor and I really had my kids, like my own kids that I love so much, and get to know them and grow with them,” she said.
As a librarian at the school, Sissel saw an opportunity to stay connected with the same group of students throughout their high school experience.
“I would be with them for freshman, sophomore, junior, senior year, and then they graduate, and I retire,” Sissel explained.
After more than 15 years in public education, Sissel viewed the role as a meaningful way to close out her career.
“I just think about it right now…I could just go and cry,” she admitted. “What a great way to end my professional career.”
Before becoming a librarian, Sissel spent nine years teaching in the classroom. She taught first grade for four years and later taught first-, second-, and third-grade language arts for five years. While she valued her time in the classroom, the demands of grading and conferences eventually led her to seek a change.
“I was a little burnt out in the classroom because I didn’t like giving grades and conferences,” she explained. “But I love teaching, and I love the children, and I love the school.”
Encouraged by her mother, Sissel transitioned into librarianship and earned her endorsement as a library media specialist. The role allowed her to work with a broader range of students across the entire school.
“It was great because it wasn’t just one classroom with one group of children,” she said. “You are connected to everybody in the school.”
In addition to her work as a librarian, Sissel serves as the Partner in Education liaison and represents teachers through the Virginia Beach Education Association. Outside of school, she stays active in the community by volunteering with organizations such as the Jewish Book Festival, the Jewish Film Festival, and the Alzheimer’s Association. She also works as a realtor, a career she began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m very close to my family,” Sissel added. “I have a large network of girlfriends and people I hang out with. I love to read. I’m in the book club, and I love to volunteer.”
Her involvement in the school community has carried over into her work with the freshman class. One of the most memorable moments so far came during the homecoming hallway competition, when students decorated their hallway around a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs theme.
“When they said we won, I didn’t even understand,” she revealed. “I thought they were saying we got second place.”
It wasn’t until co-sponsor Andrea Balsly clarified the announcement that Sissel realized the class had actually taken first place.
“She said, ‘We won,’ and I said, ‘I know, we got second place!’” Sissel recalled. “She said, ‘No — we won!’”
Freshmen are often at a disadvantage in school-wide competitions due to inexperience, so their victory was a surprise. Sissel credited the win in part to the amount of work the freshmen put in and the number of people who participated.
Many freshmen ended up spending hours after school helping decorate and bring in supplies. “Everyone was coming for at least 10 hours,” Sissel added.
Another early success for the class came through fundraising. At the start of the year, Sissel received a call from a local car wash manager offering to donate 20 percent of the proceeds toward a school fundraiser.
“I just happened to get a phone call right at the beginning of the school year,” she remarked. “They said they were looking to do a fundraiser for schools and asked if we would be interested.”
Sissel quickly secured approval and organized the opportunity for the freshman class. “It was a no-brainer for me,” she said.
Beyond events and fundraisers, Sissel focuses on helping students build relationships with one another and feel included in the school community.
For Sissel, sponsoring the class is about more than planning activities — it’s about watching students grow from their first year of high school to their last.
Sissel has had many proud moments in her career, but she said, “I think this, making these types of connections, is my favorite way to make a difference.”
