As the 2015-16 school year draws to a close, District 64 is celebrating career milestones of 45 teachers and staff members.
District 64 announced the retirements of 12 staff members.
“It is always bittersweet to see talented and dedicated members of our staff leaving to start a new chapter in their lives,” according to Superintendent Laurie Heinz. “But we sincerely thank them for their years of service and devotion to our students, schools and their colleagues. I wish them nothing but the best as they head off to retirement. They will be missed,” she added.
District 64 also honored nine staff members who have attained 25 years of service.
In addition, Board of Education members at the May 23 meeting honored 24 teachers who have achieved tenure. According to the Illinois School Code, a teacher is considered probationary for the first four years they work full time in a district.
“Through informal classroom visits, mentoring, formal observations and evaluations during this probationary time, they have shown that they meet the high expectations for instructional quality and professionalism that is expected of a District 64 teacher,” Dr. Heinz noted.
Staff members honored this year include:
Carpenter School
- Shaughn Bianchi – tenure, art teacher
- Alaina Knapp – tenure, music teacher (shared with Washington School)
- Kathleen Loftus – tenure, library information specialist
- Shelli Mata – tenure, 2nd grade teacher
- Cynthia Seputis – 25 years of service, music teacher
District 64
- Magda Gonzalez – retirement, secretary - Technology Department, 13 years of service to District 64
- Michelle Sutschek – tenure, certified school nurse
Emerson Middle School
- Michael Becksted – retirement, custodian, 17 years of service to District 64
- Gisella Calo – retirement, special needs assistant, 17 years of service to District 64
- Karen Corsello – tenure, technology teacher
- Kristen Graack – retirement, science teacher, 14 years of service to District 64
- Christopher Hammer – tenure, Spanish teacher
- Emily Hrobsky – tenure, Language Arts teacher
- Matthew Keating – tenure, science teacher
- Christine Palermo – retirement, administrative secretary, 18 years of service to District 64
- Lauri Short – tenure, social worker
Field School
- Jennifer Fragale – tenure, 3rd grade teacher
- Patricia Kisielius – 25 years of service, Learning Resource Center assistant
- Jamie Knoblauch – 25 years of service, literacy teacher
- Dina Pappas – tenure, 5th grade teacher
- Julia Risk – tenure, 4th grade teacher
Franklin School
- Brenda Kennedy – 25 years of service, 4th grade teacher
- Chris LoPresti – 25 years of service, 4th grade teacher
- Judith McCarthy – 25 years of service, physical education teacher
Jefferson School
- Catherine Shiel-Reardon – retirement, social worker, 16 years of service to District 64
- Maura Tulig (District) – tenure, speech language pathologist (shared with Washington School /District)
Lincoln Middle School
- Christine Balcarcel – tenure, resource teacher
- Jon Brett Verdun – 25 years of service, math teacher
- Mary Ciccotelli – retirement, instrumental music teacher, 26 years of service to District 64
- Linna Cohen – retirement, physical education, 27 years of service to District 64
- Therese Dieschbourg – 25 years of service, health assistant
- Candyce Hancock – retirement, secretary, 22 years of service to District 64
- Susan Herman – retirement, District technologist, 19 years of service to District 64
Roosevelt School
- Andrew Bielenda – tenure, physical education teacher
- Linda Diekman – tenure, instructional technology coach
- Cara Filipiak – tenure, 3rd grade teacher
- Linda Thomas – retirement, general music teacher, 11 years of service to District 64
- Amalya Wagner – tenure, speech language pathologist (shared with Franklin School)
Washington School
- Linnea Eschenbaum – tenure, 4th grade teacher
- Janet Johnson – retirement, Building Assistant, 19 years of service to District 64
- Brittney Joyce – tenure, library information specialist
- Rachel Labuz – tenure, technology coach
- Michele Larson – 25 years of service, 1st grade teacher
- Sue McGovern – tenure, curriculum specialist/physical education teacher
- Sara Slimak – tenure, literacy teacher