In the spring of 2024, Elaine Kloser, the drama teacher and co-drama and play director of 32 years, announced she will be taking a sabbatical in South Africa during the 2024-2025 school year.

Since 2004, Kloser has been interested in taking a sabbatical and teaching drama in a different country.

“For the past 20 years, I have applied to things but something has kept me from taking advantage of the situation,” Kloser said.

“I actually kind of forgot about it because we have been so busy with the plays. At the end of spring break I checked the website and had all these people who wanted to interview me.”

Elaine chose the International School of Johannsberg, which is located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The American International School of Johannesburg is a K-12 school, with students from 107 different nationalities.

“I’ve never been to South Africa before, so I’m really excited to go to places in the world that I’ve never been to, and find out about that culture and way of life, and then bring this back to share with my students at Jesuit,” Kloser said.

Elaine will fill the role of drama teacher, and will be teaching many different sections of drama, and will assist in theatrical productions, as she does at Jesuit.

“I’m really excited to introduce the students I have in Johannesburg to the students I have at Jesuit,” Kloser said.

Kloser does not know how long she will be gone for, but is planning on returning back to teaching at Jesuit High School soon. Kloser expressed her love for Jesuit.

“Jesuit is my home and my family, I’ve spent most of my adult life here. I will miss a lot about Jesuit. My colleagues, the students, 100 percent, and this place that feels so comfortable for me.”