Warwick ESP Celebrates Education Milestone

50 Years & Counting

Education support professional Deb Bertsch celebrates a half-century on the job

By Tom Gerhardt, NDU Communications

Deb Bertsch grew up in Warwick, graduated from high school there and eventually landed a job as an education support professional there, too. This year, she’s celebrating a milestone. Let’s just say when she started as an ESP, gas was around 40 cents per gallon, and the average cost of a new home was just over $25,000. “I find it hard to believe it’s been 50 years because my heart and my mind tell me I’m young and, of course, it’s the body in the mirror that will tell you different,” Bertsch said. You read that correctly: Fifty years. Deb Bertsch has spent her entire career at Warwick School as an ESP and is a longtime member of the Warwick Education Association and North Dakota United. Former student Eric Rogness graduated from Warwick 30 years ago. Today, Rogness is also an educator. He teaches Social Sciences at Cankdeska Cikana Community College at Fort Totten. “I got to thinking about that,” he said. “She was here 20-some years before I started seventh grade. I was thinking that’s pretty amazing.” Today the two are walking the halls reminiscing. They come across Deb’s photo — class of ’69. “We keep in close contact, (the) class of ’69,” Bertsch said. “We do a lot of things; our friendship is just a treasure.” In the hall they find Eric’s mom’s class photo from ’71. And his senior class — he points out his mullet is making a comeback.

They walk back to Deb’s desk in the library. In it, you’ll find drawers full of candy and snacks. And history. Diaries from each of her 50 years. She’s even kept her first pay stubs. And photos – including one of the old Warwick school. There are lots of memories, and many still to be made. “But you know what it all boils down to is the students,” Bertsch said. “And the co-workers. Anything you do, you do for the students.” Bertsch says she has worked with 13 superintendents during her 50 years. She even helped teach her grandson — who graduated from Warwick in 2018. As for the question on everyone’s mind? Deb doesn’t have an exact answer. “As long as I still enjoy it and I still feel like I’m making a difference, that I’m doing my job and I’m not burnt out, I’m going to continue,” Bertsch said. “All I can say is congratulations to Mrs. Bertsch, and thank you for being at it and being an educator these past five decades,” Rogness said. “Thank you. That’s something that should be treasured.” Fifty years and counting. All as an ESP. All at Warwick School. Once a Warrior, always a Warrior. Orange and Black forever. TOP: Deb Bertsch.

MIDDLE: Eric Rogness. BOTTOM: Deb’s pay stubs from 1973-74.

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