Gail Granneman's last week of teaching will leave a lasting impression on her school.
Granneman, an Eisenhower second grade teacher, donated a life-size metal sculpture of a buffalo that was installed in the school's prairie plot this week. Granneman has been chair of the school's Outdoor Learning Center committee for the past several years. During that time the outdoor resource became her passion. She and the committee supported the work started over 30 years ago with the planting of trees and the installation of a pond. The prairie plot, interpretive signs, and the addition of stones from Washington Junior High (the original Ottumwa High School) are more recent additions. She retires after 38 years of service to Ottumwa Schools.
An idea to install a buffalo led her to the Ottumwa High School metals classroom. Students Zach Lisk and Joshua Barker worked on the project for several weeks, cutting the 3/16" sheet of steel with the school's plasma cutter. Then the three sections were welded together, the larger areas covered with metal mesh, and then the entire sculpture was given a rusty patina.