Community Consolidated School District 15 2023-2024
May 8, 2024
Retiree Recognition
Celebration
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
May 8, 2024
Dear Retiree:
As we approach the end of another school year, what a tremendous range of emotions you must be experiencing as a soon-to-be retiree! I know I am feeling a deep sense of pride and gratitude toward the work you have done on behalf of students and alongside your colleagues in this wonderful district.
On behalf of the Board of Education, members of my Cabinet, and me, I wish to extend a sincere congratulations to each of you on your retirement. Your years of service and dedication to District 15 have certainly made a positive impact on so many students, families, and colleagues. 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 did not go unnoticed.
Together, the 31 members of the Class of 2024 have a combined total of 718 years of service! And even more amazing, 22 of you have been with the District for 20 years or more, 6 of you more than 30 years, and one of you dedicated 35 years to District 15! Although the work is hard, such longevity illustrates what so many members of the staff have always known—people come to District 15 and build a career.
As the school year draws to a close and you begin to dream of how to write your next chapter, I hope you feel nothing but a true sense of accomplishment, knowing that your efforts made an immeasurable difference in a way few careers are ever able to.
Best wishes on whatever pathway retirement finds you. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting … get on your way!”
With a deep sense of gratitude,
Laurie Heinz, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Community Consolidated School District 15 Board of Education
Recognizes the 2023-2024
Retirees
The following is a list of Community Consolidated School District 15’s 2023-2024 class of retirees, many of whom have chosen to share stories of their careers for this momentous occasion.
Laura Barnd
Speech Language Pathologist
Kimball Hill Elementary School
34 Years
Laura started her career in District 15 in August 1990 working as a Speech Language Pathologist. She also worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in Grayslake (1 year), and Mount Prospect District 57 (2 years). Laura’s future plans are preparing for her daughter’s wedding in January 2025, catching up on reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband Jim, sons Michael and Eric, daughter Kristen, and future sonin-law Dylan.
and a Certificate of Clinical Competence in SpeechLanguage Pathology. She has the following awards and recognitions: the Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel Team Award in the Excellence Category; the Superintendent’s Communication Council Employee Recognition Award for Exceptional Service; and the Larry Stilgebauer Award of Excellence (Illinois Technology Conference for Educators).
Sheri’s favorite part of working in District 15 is having the ability to give the gift of communication to those students who need communication devices. Sheri will treasure her time spent in District 15!
Marian Calhoun
Special Education Program Assistant
Kimball Hill Elementary School
14 Years
Sheri Beattie
Assistive Technology Facilitator
Conyers Learning Academy
24 Years
When Sheri started in the year 2000, she was a SpeechLanguage pathologist for the low-incidence programs and traveled to different buildings across the district where they were housed. Her home school was Jane Addams. A few years later, Sheri transitioned to work as an Assistive Technology Facilitator. Before coming to District 15, Sheri worked as a Speech Language Pathologist at Unit IV School District in Mendon, Illinois from 1990 to 1994; then as a Speech Language Pathologist at Canton R-V School District in Canton, Missouri from 1994 to 1998; and finally as a Speech Language Pathologist at Quincy Public Schools in Quincy, Illinois from 1998 to 2000.
Marian joined the district in March of 2009, and last served as a special education program assistant at Kimball Hill Elementary School.
Mary Dawn Clement
Special Education Program Assistant
Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School
17 Years
Mary joined the district in August of 2007, and last served as a special education program assistant at Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School.
Sheri holds professional membership from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
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Beverley Coniff
Program Assistant
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
27 Years
Beverley joined the district in September of 1997, and last served as a program assistant at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
Renate de Pau
Program Assistant
Virginia Lake Elementary School
21 Years
Renate joined the district in March of 2002, and last served as a program assistant at Virginia Lake Elementary School.
Suzanne Dowd
Office Clerical Assistant
Plum Grove Junior High School
17 Years
Suzanne began her career on September 5, 2007, as a Special Education 1-on-1 Program Assistant at Plum Grove Junior High School. After two years of helping the student to which she was assigned, Suzanne became a Special Education Program Assistant helping many wonderful students and teachers over the years. In 2018, an opportunity became available to serve as Plum Grove’s Office Clerical Assistant where she has happily been
assisting, to this day, students, parents, and staff. In the 2022-2023 school year, Suzanne received the Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel award in the ESPA category with Elizabeth Gama whom she will greatly miss working alongside. She wouldn’t have stayed as long as she did if it wasn’t for the truly awesome people she has worked with over the years— so many nice, friendly, and caring people in every position! Suzanne will miss them all. In retirement, she looks forward to spending quality time with her husband Kevin, children Ryan and Megan, as well as her mother, brother, and extended family. Suzanne also looks forward to not having to wake up so early!
Mark Exline
Maintenance Technician
Facilities & Operations
35 Years
Mark joined District 15 in November of 1988, and last served as a Maintenance Technician in the Facilities & Operations department.
Tari Farina
Purchasing Coordinator
Educational Service Center
27 Years
Tari joined the District in 1996 starting as a Secretary in Student Services, then in the Superintendent’s Office, and finally ending her career in the Business Office where she was most recently the Purchasing Coordinator.
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Donald Havell
Custodian
Stuart R. Paddock
Elementary School
33 Years
Donald joined the district in February 1990 as a night custodian for Stuart R. Paddock Elementary School. His favorite part about working in District 15 was being part of a team of great people.
Joyce’s future plans are to spend time with family, husband Kent, three children, two grandchildren, and friends relaxing, reading, and traveling.
Mimi Johanson
2nd-Grade teacher
Stuart R. Paddock
Elementary School
28 Years
Joyce Johannsen
Speech Language Pathologist
Pleasant Hill Elementary School
27 Years
Joyce began her career in District 15 in August 1996 working as a speechlanguage pathologist at several buildings including Jane Adams and Walter R. Sundling. She then moved to Hunting Ridge for a few years. As of today, Pleasant Hill has been her home for the past 20 years, and she couldn’t ask for a better place to end her career. Pleasant Hill has been amazing to work at, having such dedicated, hardworking, and wonderful staff.
In 1986, Mimi started her career in District 15 until 1993. In 2003, she came back to District 15 until her retirement. Mimi’s family consists of her husband Kevin, a son, a daughter, and a son-in-law. Her favorite memory of working in District 15 is watching the progression of a kindergartner she had her first year of teaching, become a valued, integrity-filled D15 principal. Mimi’s future plans include moving to Texas to be close to her kids.
Donald Konieczny
Mechanic
Transportation Department
24 Years
Donald joined the district in 2010, and last served as a mechanic in Transportation Services.
Before coming to District 15, Joyce taught in Melrose Park for five years. She has a membership in the American Speech Language Hearing Association and the Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association.
Joyce is very appreciative of the many years she had in District 15. The best part has been working with the students and seeing them grow. They will always hold a special place in her heart and she will miss them. She will also miss her fabulous teammates, colleagues, and administrators.
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Linda Littledale
Special Education Teacher
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
20 Years
Linda joined the district in August 2003, and last served as a special education teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
Diane Macek
Coordinator, Nutrition Services
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
24 Years
Diane joined the district in 2000, and last served as a coordinator in Nutrition Services at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. Erich Mandel
Mechanic
Transportation Department
10 Years
Erich joined the district in 2013, and last served as a mechanic in Transportation Services.
Marlene Marsico
Clerical Assistant
Willow Bend Elementary School
25 Years
Marlene joined the district in June of 1999, and last served as a clerical assistant at Willow Bend Elementary School.
Kathy Marx
3rd-Grade Teacher
Pleasant Hill Elementary School
33 Years
In August 1991, Kathy began her career in District 15 as a Kindergarten Teacher and was in that position for 11 years. Since 2002 she spent time as a 1st-, 2nd-, and she is finishing her career as a 3rd-grade teacher. (A fun little side note is that she was the school’s mascot, Scrapper, for many years!) Before returning to school to receive her Masters in Teaching, she spent several years as a Youth Director in two churches, and an Assistant in a Pediatric Office.
After 33 years at Pleasant Hill School, Kathy is blessed and overwhelmed with thousands of memories. The staff, students, and families have been so supportive, thoughtful, caring, generous, and kind. She has lifelong memories of Kindergarten Thanksgiving Musical Performances, countless Halloween Parades, and Valentine’s parties, lots of singing and poetry, Family Reading Nights, and Open Houses, and watching children grow and becoming the best students and learners they can be. It’s been a beautiful ride. Happy Trails!
Upon retirement, Kathy is planning to travel, enjoy her hobbies, take trips in the middle of the school year, and enjoy time with family and friends.
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Vickie Matich
Site Manager
Walter R. Sundling Junior High
29 Years
Vickie joined the district in 1995, and last served as a site manager for Nutrition Services at Walter R. Sundling Junior High.
James Michaels
Custodian
Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School
27 Years
James joined the district in 1997, and last served as a custodian for Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School.
Grace Pascolini
Comprehensive Music
Hunting Ridge, Willow Bend, and Lake Louise Elementary Schools
15 Years
Theresa Paoli
Bus Driver
Transportation Department
7 Years
Theresa joined the district in September of 2016, and last served as a bus driver for Transportation Services.
Grace started her career in District 15 on August 24, 2009. Her favorite memories from working in District 15 involve taking the Plum Grove Choirs down to Springfield where they performed in the capitol rotunda, met senators, and toured the Lincoln sites. She has also enjoyed working alongside so many of the fabulous music teachers in the district. Grace has been married for 39 years to her husband Rob and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. As her husband is also retiring, they look forward to spending time with their children and grandchildren and traveling. Grace is excited to start the next big adventure!
Chris Pavlik
Kindergarten Teacher
Frank C. Whiteley
Elementary School
34 Years
Chris started her career in District 15 in August 1989. Her favorite part about working in District 15 and the best part of teaching is the kids and their families. Chris plans to travel, relax, read, and enjoy time with her family, her husband, her two kids, one daughterin-law, and future son-in-law, and two dogs.
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Philip Petrucci
Custodian
Marion Jordan Elementary School
15 Years
Philip joined the district in 2009, and last served as a custodian for Marion Jordan Elementary School.
Lorainne Soderlund
LRC Clerical
Lincoln Elementary School
5 Years
Lorainne joined the district in December of 2018, and last served as a Library Resource Center clerical for Lincoln Elementary School.
Mary Anne Stipak Program Assistant
Walter R. Sundling Junior High 16 Years
Mary Anne joined the district in August of 2008, and last served as a program assistant at Walter R. Sundling Junior High.
Kathy Weber Secretary
Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School
22 Years
Kathy joined the district in February of 2002, and last served as a school secretary for Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School.
Hector Soto Flores
Mechanic
Transportation Services
25 Years
Hector joined the district in 1998, and last served as a mechanic for Transportation Services.
Marypatriece Raupp Wendt
Special Education Teacher
Central Road Elementary School 20 Years
Marypatriece joined the District on August 16, 2004. She is married to Thomas Wendt and has three children: Emily Yedinak, Amber Yedinak, and Arion Yedinak. Her favorite part about working in District 15 is the people who have worked with her. She recalls relaxed
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building SPED meetings of laughs and helping one another through difficult times. She is so grateful for all the support she received when she had breast cancer. Marypatriece looks forward to working in a full-time ministry.
Tracey Wrobel Director of Student Services Educational Service Center 29 Years
Tracey joined the district in August 1995. She started her career as a Special Education Teacher (1995-2008) at Conyers Learning Academy (ACES), moved to Kimball Hill as Assistant Principal (2008-2010), then she worked as a Coordinator (ESC 2010-2011), then went back to Kimball Hill as a School Principal (20112018), moved to the ESC as a Coordinator (20182021); became Assistant Director of Student Services (ESC 2021-2023); and finally ends her career as a Director of Student Services (ESC 2023-2024).
Tracey also worked outside the district from 1990 to 1993 as a Special Education Teacher at Grand Ridge Elementary School at D95, and from 1993 to 1995 as a Special Education Teacher at Giles Elementary School at D80.
Her favorite part about working in District 15 is the relationships that she has been able to build through the years and the feeling of family that you get within this district. Tracey plans on working in some capacity and enjoying time with her family.
Karen Kraft Zielinski Teacher
Central Road Elementary School 34 Years
Karen joined the district in August 1989. She began her career in District 15 as a migrant teacher. She transitioned into a full-time bilingual teacher for Grades 3, 5, and 5/6. Karen exited the bilingual department and moved into mainstream teaching as a fifth-, sixth-, and finally a fourth-grade teacher. She happily spent her entire career at Central Road Elementary School with the most wonderful and talented teachers, staff, and administrators around. It has been the blessing of her life to work here in District 15.
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Y our years of commitment and dedication to your profession and to District 15 have made a tremendous difference in this community and in the lives of thousands of young people you have served.
Thank you, and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement!
Community Consolidated School District 15 Board of Education
Lisa Beth Szczupaj, President
Frank J. Annerino, Vice President
Anthony Wang, Secretary
Samantha Bray Ader
Wenda Hunt
Zubair Khan
James Taylor
Superintendent of Schools
Laurie Heinz, Ed.D.
