As the 2013-14 school year draws to a close, Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 is celebrating career milestones of 35 teachers and staff members.
District 64 announced the retirements of 15 staff members.
“Whether they have worked directly with children in our classrooms or have supported our students and schools in behind-the-scenes roles, the dedicated staff members leaving us this year have focused their efforts each and every day on doing what is best for our students,” according to Superintendent Philip Bender. “We thank them for always keeping kids first and foremost, and hope that they will have many happy and healthy years ahead to focus on the exciting next chapter in their own lives,” he added.
District 64 also honored six staff members who have attained 25 years of service, including one who is retiring.
In addition, Board of Education members at a recent meeting personally congratulated 15 teachers who will achieve tenure. Tenure marks the successful completion of four consecutive years as a probationary teacher in District 64 and is an important achievement in a teacher’s career, Dr. Bender noted.
The 35 staff members being honored this year include:
Carpenter School
- Linda Currey –25 years of service and retirement, Transitional Program of Instruction assistant
- Sachie Okada – retirement, administrative school secretary, 17 years of service to District 64
Educational Service Center
- Larry Bielski – retirement, District warehouse, delivery and printer, 23 years of service to District 64
- James Even – retirement, Director of Special Education/Pupil Services, 3 years of service to District 64
Emerson Middle School
- Christy Babcock – 25 years of service, Health Education teacher
- Cathleen Coppola – tenure, special needs teacher
- Melissa Glickman – tenure, Channels of Challenge language arts/math teacher
- Kathryn Homann – tenure, math/science/social studies teacher
- Madeline Kiem – tenure, language arts/social studies teacher
- Dallas Klytta – retirement, instrumental music teacher, 20 years of service to District 64
- Ruth Kovac – retirement, Instructional Resource assistant, 15 years of service to District 64
- Marlene Stankiewicz – retirement, Learning Resource Center assistant, 15 years of service to District 64
Field School
- Deborah Billings – retirement, Transitional Program of Instruction teacher, 18 years of service to District 64
- Kimberly Kaniecki – tenure, Primary Challenge teacher
- Samantha McDaniel – tenure, Physical Education teacher
- Cathleen Wieska – tenure, grade 2 teacher
Franklin School
- Babs Swanson– retirement, administrative school secretary, 26 years of service to District 64
- Kathy Wipf – 25 years of service, District technologist
Jefferson School
- Kathleen Leslie – retirement, Special Needs Pre-K assistant, 17 years of service to District 64
- Julia Mitchell – retirement, Special Needs Pre-K assistant, 17 years of service to District 64
- Jan Travis – retirement, Extended Day assistant, 24 years of service to District 64
Lincoln Middle School
- Genevieve Chesney – tenure, social worker
- Linna Cohen – 25 years of service, physical education teacher
- Deborah Jares – retirement, Instructional Resource Assistant, 18 years of service to District 64
- Faye Manzi – 25 years of service, Read to Succeed teacher
- Kelly McCall – tenure, Instructional Resource teacher
- Alysia Porrello – tenure, math teacher
- James Tebo – 25 years of service, 8th grade math teacher
Roosevelt School
- Katherine Olmstead – retirement, Special Needs assistant, 13 years of service to District 64
- Beth O’Neil – tenure, Instructional Resource teacher
- Aileen Stonelake – tenure, grade 1 teacher
- Helene Zukas – tenure, Transitional Program of Instruction teacher
Washington School
- Amy Sacor – tenure, Channels of Challenge teacher
- Pam Sammons – tenure, grade 1 teacher
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Emily Wojteczko – retirement, administrative school secretary, 22 years of service to District 64