Locals John and Irma Hlava Retire

John Hlava, fourth grade teacher at Butterfield Elementary School retired after nine years. His wife Irma Hlava retired from twenty-one years in 2011 from Chapman University, now known as Brandman University. John’s career did not only consist of teaching. He has written six books, three of which he has gotten published. He mentioned one specifically titled “Why Jonny, Why?” which focuses on how he grew and matured from his childhood. “I was a terrible kid,” John said with a chuckle. When he dealt with children in the classroom that are the typical “trouble-makers”, he said to himself, “there goes a little Johnny.” John and Irma have lived in Moreno Valley now for twenty-five years. They have two sons Paul and Nicholas; one lives in New York and the other in Chico, Calif. Education always seemed to guide John and Irma’s lives, whether it was with their jobs or parenting skills. “Irma would read to the kids every night,” John mentioned. Teaching wasn’t necessarily something John planned to do in his future, but he feels “lucky and blessed to be a teacher.” Even with their kids, John says they would “instill education in them.” Now in retirement, they can visit their kids whenever they like and they both agree that’s one of the best parts about it. Now, they’re the ones that are working!” John mentioned. Now that both John and Irma are retired, they take mini vacations in the middle of the week, “because we can,” Irma said while laughing. Recently they took a little trip to Ventura with their best friends, Mit and Sofia Sandru, of forty years who are also retired. Mit had a last minute idea and said “let’s go to the beach tomorrow.” So they went to the beach on a last minute suggestion because “we are free to do that now,” John said. On Sept. 4, it will be thirty-six years that Irma and John have been married. To celebrate, they’re going to their favorite seafood restaurant in Murrieta. Also, they are going on a West Coast Cruise in a few weeks as a little present to themselves for their anniversary. John and Irma wanted to add how much they loved working at their schools. Irma mentioned she absolutely loved her job because “it became like a family... I became best friends with all the employees.” John also shared how much he loved the entire staff at Butterfield Elementary, and how much he will miss the social aspect of all the staff members.