Community Consolidated School District 15
2018-19
Retiree Recognition
May 21, 2019 Walter R. Sundling Junior High School Scott B. Thompson, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Community Consolidated School District 15 Board of Education Recognizes 2018-19 Retirees
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” —William Butler Yeats
“A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart.” —Author Unknown
“Age is only a number, a cipher for the records. A man can’t retire his experience. He must use it.” —Bernard Baruch
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” —A. A. Milne
The following is a list of Community Consolidated School District 15’s 2018-19 class of retirees, many of whom have chosen to share stories of their careers for this momentous occasion.
S
incere congratulations to each of you on your retirement. Your years of service and dedication to District 15 have certainly made a positive impact. Whether you have worked directly with students or provided the vital support that enables our schools and teachers to do their jobs effectively, your many contributions to our mission to “produce world-class learners by building a connected learning community” are deeply appreciated. It’s astonishing to consider that the 45 of you together have tallied a combined total of 939.5 years of service. And even more amazing, 28 of you have been with the District for 20 or more years! While you’ll be moving on to other interesting adventures, please know that you will be missed. We hope you leave with a sense of pride, knowing that your efforts made an important difference to the District. Best wishes for health, happiness, and pleasant memories of your years at District 15! Sincerely,
Lisa Beth Szczupaj President, Board of Education
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Susan Arndt, BSN, MEd, NCSN Coordinator Health Services 11 Years of Service Sue joined the District in 2007, spending the last 7 years as the Coordinator of the District’s Health Services. Prior to joining District 15, Mrs. Arndt served as a Certified School Nurse and District Nurse in a number of other school districts. Sue belongs to the Illinois Association of School Nurses and the National Association of School Nurses. In 2018, Mrs. Arndt received the IASN School Nurse Administrator of the Year award. Married to John Arndt, Sue and her husband have three sons, Zachary, Donovan, Daniel (Ana) and one grandson. Upon retirement, Sue plans to golf, travel, and do lots of grandmothering!
Sherree Auge Building Secretary John G. Conyers Learning Academy 22 Years of Service Sherree joined the District in 1997 and served as the Building Secretary at John G. Conyers Learning Academy for 13 years. Mrs. Auge started her District 15 career as a Clerical Assistant at Hunting Ridge Elementary School. In addition, she spent 34 years as a member of the Parent Teacher Association, serving on the council board, she was very active at the local school level. Prior to joining District 15, Sherree spent 7 years as a Computer Operations Manager at Credit Union in Ohio. Mrs. Auge and her husband, Jerry, have five children, Stephanie, Scott, Amber, Alyssa, and Anthony; two daughters-in-law, Liz and Katie; and two grandchildren, Alexis and Gideon. 2
Rita Belmonte Nurse John G. Conyers Learning Academy 10 Years of Service Rita joined the District in 2009 and served as a Nurse at John G. Conyers Learning Academy.
Ginger Benning Sixth Grade Teacher Kimball Hill Elementary School 27 Years of Service Ginger joined the District in 1986 and served the majority of her career as a Sixth Grade Teacher at Pleasant Hill School. Mrs. Benning took off for a bit, but returned to Pleasant Hill School as a Kindergarten Teacher for six years. Ginger also taught Sixth Grade at Hunting Ridge Elementary and Kimball Hill Elementary Schools. Additionally, she served on the District Math Committee for 15 years and taught Math Methods courses at National Louis University. Prior to District 15, Mrs. Benning was a Junior High School Science Teacher for five years at Avon School in Grayslake. Ginger and her husband, Len, have two daughters and three sons. They also have four grandchildren. Upon retirement, Mrs. Benning plans to spend time with her family, and to hike and bike as well.
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Luz Betancourt Bilingual Program Assistant Lincoln Elementary School 15 Years of Service Luz joined the District in 2004 and served as a Bilingual Program Assistant at Lincoln Elementary School.
Terry Biro Kindergarten Teacher Lake Louise Elementary School 27 Years of Service Terry joined the District in 1992 and served as a Kindergarten Teacher at Jane Addams and Lake Louise Elementary Schools.
Donna Boulter Breakfast and Lunch Coordinator Kimball Hill Elementary School 28.5 Years of Service Donna joined the District in 1991 and served as the Breakfast and Lunch Coordinator at Kimball Hill Elementary School.
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Patricia Clemens Bus Driver Transportation Department 20 Years of Service Patricia joined the District in 1999 and served as a bus driver in the Transportation Department.
Donna DeGrazia Second Grade Teacher Lincoln Elementary School 25 Years of Service Donna joined the District in 1994 and served as a Second Grade Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School for 21 years. Additionally, she taught Special Ed Primary Program 1 and First Grade at Lincoln. Prior to joining District 15, Mrs. DeGrazia taught Special Education at District 74 for 10 years and taught at Laureate Day School in Park Ridge for 4 years. Donna and her husband, Joel, have three grown children, two grandchildren and another grandchild on the way in October! Upon retirement, Mrs. DeGrazia plans on lots of travel, time with grandkids, as well as gardening and leisure activities.
Donna DelGiudice Clerical Assistant Thomas Jefferson Elementary School 33 Years of Service Donna joined the District in 1986 and served as a Clerical Assistant at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. 5
Bobbie Desprat Director School Nutrition Services 21 Years of Service Bobbie joined the District in 1998 and served as the Director of School Nutrition Services for the last 20 years. Mrs. Desprat began her work in District 15 as the Central Kitchen Manager. Prior to joining the District, Bobbie was the Director of Food Services, River Trails School District 26, Mt. Prospect. She is the current President of the Sister Cities Association of Palatine. Mrs. Desprat’s professional memberships include: the School Nutrition Association; the Illinois School Nutrition Association, where she also held board positions including Chair, Legislative Affairs, and Chair, USDA Foods. Other recognitions Bobbie has received include: SNS (School Nutrition Specialist) credentials; ConAgra Foods Innovator Award 2008; Member, Global Child Nutrition Foundation Annual Campaign Committee 2008-10; Land O Lakes Advisory Council Member 2010-15; Member, Rich Products Advisory Roundtable 2014; speaker at Illinois School Nutrition Association Annual Conferences; speaker at 2005 School Nutrition Association Annual Conference; and Contributing Author to Managing Child Nutrition Programs Leadership for Excellence (2nd Edition 2009).
Barbara Dudley Program Assistant Marion Jordan Elementary School 19 Years of Service Barbara joined the District in 2000 and served as a Program Assistant at Marion Jordan Elementary School. 6
Terry Flynn Bus Driver Transportation Department 18 Years of Service Terry joined the District in 2001 and served as a bus driver in the Transportation Department.
Vicky Frankel Physical Education Teacher Winston Campus Junior High School 21 Years of Service Vicky joined the District in 1998 and served as a Physical Education Teacher at Winston Campus Junior High School. Additionally, she has been awarded the Blue Ribbon Physical Education Award from 2011 to the present. Prior to joining District 15, Mrs. Frankel taught Physical Education at District 81 in Schiller Park, Illinois. Vicky has been married for 36 years to Gary. They have a daughter Jocey (Doug Metzger); son David; and three grandchildren, Wes, Tate, and Delaney. Upon retirement, Mrs. Frankel plans to travel and watch the grandchildren!
Michael Garnant Bus Driver Transportation Department 6 Years of Service Michael joined the District in 2012 and served as a bus driver in the Transportation Department.
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Mariann Greetis Program Assistant Central Road Elementary School 24 Years of Service Mariann joined the District in 1995 and served as a General Education Program Assistant at Central Road School. Mrs. Greetis also spent 16 years as the ESPA Building Representative. She previously served as a member of the Building Leadership Team for five years and the Green Team for two years. Prior to District 15, Mariann was employed at the Federal National Mortgage Association from 1976 to 1984. Upon retirement, Mrs. Greetis plans to spend more time with my friends and family here in Illinois and in California, especially with her granddaughter. Mariann and her husband also plan to travel in their Airstream trailer with their two cats!
Cynthia Hajost Special Education Program Assistant Marion Jordan Elementary School 20 Years of Service Cynthia joined the District in 1999 and has served as a Special Education Program Assistant in the Autism/ SIP program for her entire career. Mrs. Hajost has also been a member of the ESPA/IEA/NEA organizations. Cynthia has a wonderful husband, who is a retired teacher! They have three children (a son and two daughters) and three grandchildren (two girls and one boy) whom they are extremely proud of and enjoy spending time with! Upon retirement, Mrs. Hajost’s future plans include spending more quality time with family, friends and new puppy, Wrigley; traveling, enjoying their cabin near Glacier National Park in Montana; working and volunteering more at their church; and finally having some time to work on her craft projects! 8
Ralph Hettich Custodian Walter R. Sundling Junior High School 44 Years of Service Ralph joined the District in 1974 and served as a custodian at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School. In 1992, Ralph was awarded Employee of the Month.
Jeanne Ives Fifth Grade Teacher Gray M. Sanborn Elementary School 10 Years of Service Jeanne joined the District in 2009 and served as a Fifth Grade Teacher at Gray M. Sanborn Elementary School. Additionally, Mrs. Ives has been an ISU Student Intern mentor, as well as a member of the Building Leadership Team and the Curriculum Advisory Committee for the past five years. Prior to joining District 15, she was an advertising art director and a yoga instructor. Jeanne and her husband, David, have been married for 32 years and have four wonderful children: Matthew, Will, Jeremy, and Madeleine. Mrs. Ives and her husband are looking forward to retiring to Colorado Springs, Colorado, this summer and, especially, to enjoying the Colorado mountains, the 300 days of sunshine and to exploring all that Colorado has to offer.
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Annette Lawson Fifth Grade Teacher Lincoln Elementary School 31 Years of Service Annette joined the District in 1988 and served as a Fifth Grade Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. Mrs. Lawson has taught both 4th and 5th Grades in District 15. Upon retirement, Annette will be moving to Arizona with her husband. They plan on doing a lot of hiking and biking, while enjoying the warmth, sunshine, and beautiful desert landscape.
Janet Lenzini Fourth Grade Teacher Lincoln Elementary School 32 Years of Service Janet joined the District in 1987 and served as a Fourth Grade Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. Prior to joining District 15, Mrs. Lenzini was a junior high school Math teacher in a Rockford parochial school. Janet and her husband, Mark, have two children, Emily and David. Upon retirement, Mrs. Lenzini plans to spend time traveling, enjoy time with family and friends, take classes and volunteer.
Peggy Lindstrom Program Assistant Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School 25 Years of Service Peggy joined the District in 1994 and served as a Program Assistant at Frank C. Whiteley Elementary 10
School. Mrs. Lindstrom also served as a Noon-Hour Supervisor at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
Veronica Mazuera Bilingual Program Assistant Virginia Lake Elementary School 4 Years of Service Veronica joined the District in 2015 and served as a Bilingual Program Assistant at Virginia Lake Elementary School.
Lisa Miskovetz Second Grade Teacher Central Road Elementary 20.5 Years of Service Lisa joined the District in 1999 and served as a Second Grade Teacher at Central Road Elementary School for the last 9 years. She spent her entire career as a teacher at Central Road! Prior to teaching 2nd grade, Mrs. Miskovetz taught a number of different grade levels, including 1st, 3rd, and 5th/6th Academically Talented and Gifted. Lisa even completed her student teaching in the Kindergarten classrooms at Central Road. Mrs. Miskovetz earned her National Board Certification as well as a renewal of that certification. Lisa and her husband have been married for 37 years. Their three children all attended District 15 schools. They are now blessed with three beautiful granddaughters, one handsome grandson and another sweet grandson on the way! Also, not to forget, they have Leah and Caleb, their rescue dogs. Upon retirement, Lisa and her husband will move to Wisconsin and build a home on the Rock River. They hope to spend as much time as possible with their children, grandchildren and parents. They hope their friends will make weekend trips to visit them for fun and relaxation! 11
Barbara Muller Reading Program Assistant Central Road Elementary School 11 Years of Service Barbara joined the District in 2008 and served as a Reading Program Assistant at Central Road Elementary School.
Robert Normann Custodian Marion Jordan Elementary School 23 Years of Service Bob joined the District in 1995 and served as the custodian for Marion Jordan Elementary School.
Thomas O’ Brien Bus Driver Transportation Department 8 Years of Service Thomas joined the District in 2011 and served as a bus driver in the Transportation Department.
Susan O’ Kelly Second Grade Teacher Virginia Lake Elementary School 24 Years of Service Susan joined the District in 1995 and served as a Second Grade Teacher at Virginia Lake Elementary School. 12
Jennie Palmer Program Assistant Marion Jordan Elementary School 17 Years of Service Jennie joined the District in 2002 and served as a program assistant for Special Education students at Marion Jordan Elementary School.
Barbara J. Roberts Physical Education Teacher Pleasant Hill Elementary School 18 Years of Service Barbara joined the District in 2001 and served as a Physical Education Teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary School.
Jodi Rosenberg Fourth Grade Teacher Lincoln Elementary School 34 Years of Service Jodi joined the District in 1985 and served as a Fourth Grade Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School for 11 years. Additionally, Mrs. Rosenberg served in a number of different roles in District 15, including 15 years at Kimball Hill Elementary School: First Grade (5 years), Sixth Grade (1 year), Third Grade (6 years) and Language Arts Teacher (3 years). She also taught Fourth Grade at Lincoln for 6 years. Upon retirement, Jodi plans to spend time with her family, travel as much as possible with her husband, run, bike and read!
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Kurt Saxsma Fifth Grade Teacher Central Road Elementary School 20 Years of Service Kurt joined the District in 1999 and served as a Fifth Grade Teacher at Central Road Elementary School.
Carol Seales Custodian Carl Sandburg Junior High School 12 Years of Service Carol joined the District in 2006 and served as a custodian at Carl Sandburg Junior High School.
Holli Solberg Program Assistant Gray M. Sanborn Elementary School 22 Years of Service Holli joined the District in 1997 and served as Program Assistant at Gray M. Sanborn Elementary School.
Linda Stellmach Program Assistant Kimball Hill Elementary School 25 Years of Service Linda joined the District in 1994 and served as a Program Assistant at Kimball Hill Elementary School. 14
Linda M. Thielen Bus Driver Transportation Department 31 Years of Service Linda joined the District in 1987 and served as a bus driver for the Transportation Department. She has been the Treasurer for the District 15 Transportation Union since 2009. Upon retirement, Linda plans to enjoy her family and her retirement!
Scott Thompson, Ed.D. Superintendent School District 15 9 Years of Service Scott joined the District in 2009 and served as the Superintendent. Prior to joining District 15, Dr. Thompson served as the Superintendent of Antioch School District 34, Principal at Kildeer District 96’s Twin Groves Middle School, Principal at Jane Addams School in District 54, and Assistant Principal at Lincoln Middle School in District 57. Scott began his educational career as a 5th grade teacher at Lincoln Hall Middle School in Lincolnwood District 74. Dr. Thompson and his wife, Marty, have five children and seven grandchildren. Upon retirement, Scott plans to spend his time enjoying his grandchildren, traveling, puttering around the house, and volunteering at a not-for-profit.
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Greg Tomczyk Third Grade Teacher Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School 20 Years of Service Greg joined the District in 1999 and served as a Third Grade Teacher at Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School.
Dorsey Uhrich First Grade Teacher Stuart R. Paddock Elementary School 34 Years of Service Dorsey joined the District in 1985 and served as a First Grade Teacher at Stuart R. Paddock Elementary School. Additionally, Mrs. Uhrich served in a number of different roles in District 15, including 1985-95 at Thomas Jefferson (4th, 2nd, and 1st grades); 1996-98 at Thomas Jefferson (1st grade jobshare); 2000-02 at Winston Campus (Kindergarten-job-share); 2002-07 at Marion Jordan (Resource Center); and 2007-19 at Stuart R. Paddock (Kindergarten, 1st grade). Mrs. Uhrich has been married for 29+ years and is the proud mother of four children. Upon retirement, Dorsey plans to work (part-time) for North Central College and supervise student teachers in the northwest suburbs. She also hopes to spend time relaxing and renovating their new cabin in Wisconsin and visit their children who live out of state.
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Susan J. Wilson Program Assistant Willow Bend Elementary School 1.5 Years of Service Susan joined the District in 2017 and served as a Program Assistant at Willow Bend Elementary School. Prior to joining District 15, Susan served in a variety of roles, including Teaching Assistant and Manager of Payroll and Commissions. Mrs. Wilson was recognized with the IEA/NEA Local Association Stalwart Award in 2016. Sue and her husband, Roy, look forward to her retirement.
Karen Winberg Special Education Program Assistant John G. Conyers Learning Academy 17 Years of Service Karen joined the District in 2002 and served as a Special Education Program Assistant at John G. Conyers Learning Academy.
Cheryl Wolfel, Ed.D. Executive Director, Second Language Programs 20 Years of Service Cheryl joined the District in 1999 and served as the Executive Director of Second Language Programs for the last nine years.
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Teresa Zade Reading Intervention Program Assistant Stuart R. Paddock Elementary School 22 Years of Service Teresa joined the District in 1997 and served as a Reading Intervention Program Assistant at Stuart R. Paddock Elementary School for her entire career. Mrs. Zade is married with three children and two precious grandchildren. She is a member of the choir at Holy Family Catholic Church. Upon retirement, Teresa has a long list of things she needs to do, and would love to do more volunteering at church and some traveling too!
Donna Zimmerman First Grade Teacher Lake Louise Elementary School 35 Years of Service Donna joined the District in 1984 and served as a First Grade Teacher at Lake Louise Elementary School. Mrs. Zimmerman began her time in District as a 5th Grade student at Lake Louise in 1970, the year it opened! Then, she was hired as a 1st Grade teacher in 1984 by the same Principal (Gene Shull) whom she had as a student. Donna is married to Bill and has three children, Tegan, Billy, and Victoria, who also attended Lake Louise School and then Palatine High School as did Bill and Donna. Mrs. Zimmerman was selected as Teacher of the Month by the Daily Herald. Upon retirement, Donna plans to expand her vegetable garden, travel the country, with an emphasis on skiing out west, planning her two daughters’ 2020 weddings, subbing at Lake Louise, and just enjoying a healthy, happy retirement.
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Michele Zordan Sixth Grade Teacher Lincoln Elementary School 22 Years of Service Michele joined the District in 1996 and served as a Sixth Grade Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School. Mrs. Zordan started her career in District 15 as a Program Assistant from 19962003. Michele is married to Mike, and has three children and four grandchildren. Upon retirement, Mrs. Zordan plans to spend time with her family and friends, travel, and activate her Real Estate license.
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Board of Education Lisa Szczupaj, President Frank J. Annerino, Vice President Anthony Wang, Secretary Samantha Ader Wenda Hunt Zubair Khan Michael Smolka