As the 2016-17 school year draws to a close, School District 64 is celebrating career milestones of 42 teachers and staff members.
District 64 announced the retirements of 27 staff members, the highest in recent memory.
“Saying good-bye to seasoned veterans who have dedicated their time and talent to making District 64 a place where children want to learn is never easy. This year, as we say goodbye to a passionate group of educators and staff members, I wish them well and extend a heartfelt thank you for their years of service and devotion to our students, schools and their colleagues,” according to Superintendent Laurie Heinz. “On behalf of the Board and my administrative team, I wish them all the best as they begin their retirement journey,” she added.
District 64 also honored seven staff members who have attained 25 years of service, including two who are also retiring.
In addition, Board of Education members at the May 22, 2017 meeting honored 10 teachers who 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 a rigorous evaluation protocol throughout this probationary period, they have shown that they meet the high expectations for instructional quality, care for students, and professionalism that are expected of a District 64 teacher. We strive to attract and retain quality educators that will work to ensure all students achieve their goals,” Dr. Heinz noted.
Staff members honored this year include:
Carpenter School
- Kathleen Hartz – tenure, speech language pathologist (shared with Lincoln Middle School)
- Cassandra Prejzner – tenure, 4th grade teacher
- Elizabeth Truchon – 25 years of service, 4th grade teacher
- Vicki Volden – retirement, 2nd grade teacher, 23 years of service to District 64
- Kathy Zajac – tenure, English Learner teacher
Educational Service Center (ESC)
- Mary Ann Ghisolf – retirement, Department for Student Learning secretary, 16 years of service to District 64
- Grace “Peggy” Morgan – retirement, secretary to Chief School Business Official, 32 years of service to District 64
Emerson Middle School
- Jody Baty – retirement, 6th grade science teacher, 20 years of service to District 64
- Kate Carlson – tenure, math/science teacher
- Cynthia Davies – retirement, art teacher, 22 years of service to District 64
- Shannon Fuller – tenure, language arts/science teacher
- Karen Heffner – retirement, special education teacher, 21 years of service to District 64
- Jessica Kwasny – tenure, music teacher (shared with Field School)
- Dianne Olson – retirement, library information specialist, 13 years of service to District 64
- Nicole Parrilli – tenure, language arts teacher
- Steve Senf – 25 years of service, industrial technology teacher
Field School
- Jane Everett – retirement, library information specialist, 23 years of service to District 64
- Jamie Knoblauch – retirement, literacy teacher, 26 years of service to District 64
- Dena Levenson – retirement, social worker, 30 years of service to District 64
- Debra Morris – retirement, instructional resource teacher, 33 years of service to District 64
Franklin School
- Patricia Brennan – retirement, 3rd grade teacher, 37 years of service to District 64
- Lenore Franckowiak – retirement, instructional resource teacher, 16 years of service to District 64
- Meryl Fulara – retirement, 1st grade teacher, 15 years of service to District 64
- Sandi Marks – retirement, English Learner teacher, 23 years of service to District 64
- Anna Marie Petricca – retirement, special education teacher, and 25 years of service to District 64
- Natalie Schuetz – 25 years of service, 2nd grade teacher
- Peggy Weller – 25 years of service, kindergarten teacher
Lincoln Middle School
- Sandra DeGrazia – retirement, instructional resource teacher assistant, 23 years of service to District 64
- Irene Kappos – retirement, language arts/reading teacher, 32 years of service to District 64
- Faye Manzi – retirement, reading specialist teacher, 28 years of service to District 64
- James Romey – retirement, social studies teacher, 20 years of service to District 64
- Mark Stefanik – retirement, language arts/social studies teacher, and 25 years of service to District 64
Roosevelt School
- Jeanne Doheny – retirement, literacy teacher, 16 years of service to District 64
- Amanda Hernandez – tenure, foreign language teacher
- Jean Kulnig – retirement, 4th grade teacher, 12 years of service to District 64
- Barclay Marcell – retirement, literacy teacher, 17 years of service to District 64
- Elizabeth Martin – 25 years of service, physical education teacher
- Linda Mirza – tenure, social worker
- Linda Roig – retirement, kindergarten teacher, 23 years of service to District 64
Washington School
- Gini Burns – retirement, English Learner teacher, 24 years of service to District 64
- Debbie Graziano – retirement, literacy teacher, 19 years of service to District 64
- Patrick Swanson – tenure, psychologist (shared with Franklin School)