Staff Retirements

The following faculty and staff combine for an astonishing 250 years of Xavier experience! You have impacted thousands within the Xavier family and we wish each of you blessings on your well-deserved retirement.

Pat (Bleier) Rechner ‘66

15 Years, XES Learning Advocate

As I reflect on my years at the McDonald and Marquette campuses, 11 years as a classroom teacher and 15 years in the Learning Service Dept., I have many things for which to be grateful.

I would like to thank my colleagues whose dedication, sense of humor, and friendship always helped to meet the challenges of the day.

Thank you to parents for their understanding and support.

A big thank you goes to my students who taught me how to be a better teacher.

I’m grateful to Xavier for giving me opportunities to grow as a person and a professional.

“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else” Fred Rodgers

Blessings to all!

Julie Guzman

20 Years, XES Marquette St Learning Services Teacher

The Xavier system was a place I was grateful God guided me to over 20 years ago—after years of being a stay at home Mom. It was a safe place in so many ways— to express and grow in one’s faith, a place of support professionally and personally, a special work family. Thank you to my co-workers and all of the students and parents I was so blessed to meet! You have enriched me in countless ways.

May God bless you all! Ginny Suechting

25 Years, XHS AP Biology Teacher

My favorite memories are the many colleagues who taught me so much about the art of teaching. Among the group, Dennis Oudenhoven was a really important mentor and taught me how to effectively evaluate student work while simultaneously encouraging them. He understood the true art of grading.

I have loved Xavier because of the connections with my students and the extended connections with their families. It allowed me to develop course work and techniques that students have carried with them to college and graduate school. I am so grateful to Xavier for my years of service.

Ann McKnight

23 Years, XHS Theology Teacher

My favorite Xavier memory is teaching alongside both my sons. Ian ‘05 was hired as the middle school band director and we went to Winter Camp as teachers. Connor ’03 taught senior English with Denny Oudenhoven down the hall from my room. We always referred to each other as Mr. McKnight and Mrs. McKnight!

When I began at the high school, I was part-time, but I stayed for lunch because the teachers' “second lunch” was so much fun. I usually left laughing. I'll never forget the shock and blessing of being the class of 2011 commencement speaker, or, in 2016 when the Cubs won the World Series and I got to celebrate in Brewer country! All the Kairos retreats with the students and teachers. So many laughs and Spirit moments.

My advice for the Xavier community is to be a child of God first and have fun with the life you have been given. Don’t waste time or energy on impressing anyone but God.

Xavier High School has truly been my “home away from home”, as I have probably spent more time at the high school in the last 45 years (49 if you add my high school years here!) than I have at my own home! At this ‘home’ was a large welcoming, loving family of colleagues. In all my roles as teacher, coach, dean of students, and athletic director, I have been sincerely blessed to work in a career I loved and especially to work with amazing people.

Although I will sincerely miss daily interactions with students, student athletes, coaches, and friends, I do look forward to a more leisurely lifestyle that will open more opportunities for family time, travel, and volunteerism.

I am grateful for the support and love I have received from this Xavier community. I look forward to cheering on the academic, artistic and athletic achievements this school will continue to provide. “Once a Hawk, always a Hawk!”

Katy Masak

20 Years, XES McDonald St 4th Grade Teacher

God had a plan for me, and I am forever grateful that He chose Catholic education as my vocation. From the first year that I walked into my classroom, my coworkers and the school families made me feel at home. The sense of community, pride in their faith, love of Catholic education, concern for one another, support, and uplifting atmosphere made coming into school each morning a joy. One never knew what the day might bring, but that was part of the excitement of the job. I miss the excitement that each school day brought and think of you all often.

A year ago God had another plan for me. I wasn’t sure I was ready for His new plan. But I listened to Him and am now available to support my nephews after the sudden passing of their mom. It has been a challenging year all around. I thank God for the support of my school family, my real family and my friends. I miss you all dearly and enjoy every opportunity where we are able to bump into one another. May God bless you and keep you safe as you venture into the new chapters of your lives. It truly has been a blessing and privilege to work at Xavier for 15 years! I loved my job and was surrounded by wonderful faculty/staff, parents and students! I treasure all of the memories and friendships. Xavier will always hold a very special place in my heart! Growing up, I attended St. Pius (now Xavier Elementary –Marquette Campus) and our three children all attended and graduated from the Xavier System. The Xavier Catholic School System is an extraordinary community! God bless each of you!

Sue Brellenthin

23 Years, XES McDonald St Instructional Aide

Dear St. Francis Xavier Community,

After 23 years as an Instructional Aide in the St. Francis Xavier Community, I have decided to retire. I have been so blessed to work with so many wonderful students, families and so many talented, dedicated and loving faculty and staff members. I have had the privilege of working with students in all grades from Pre-K through 5th grade, at the McDonald Street Campus, the Marquette Street Campus and at Catholic Central. Many of those years were spent in preschool.

Xavier holds a very special place in my heart, I have been so blessed to have so many of these wonderful children in my life; they are all such special gifts. Someone told me many years ago, "Pick a job you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life." That is what my time at Xavier has meant to me. I have been truly honored, humbled and blessed to have been a part of this Xavier Community for so many years. I honestly have received so much more than I have given.

I am really looking forward to spending more time with our five grandchildren, both here in Appleton and in Boston, and my husband and I are looking forward to traveling. I thank you all very much for all your love, support and prayers over the years. Continued love and blessings to you all! St. Francis Xavier, pray for us!

Dear Xavier Community, It was such a blessing to have had the opportunity to work with the amazing administration, staff, students, and their families over the past 7 years. Although I am enjoying my time in retirement, I miss seeing all of you very much.

I will always cherish the 5 years I spent as the 8th Grade Science Teacher at Xavier Middle School. I loved seeing students get excited about science, especially when they would have Ah-Ha! moments when grasping science concepts. I recently ran into a former student who proudly shared that they could still remember the phases of the moon because they learned them in a fun and impactful way!

My last two years as STEM Coordinator took me into the elementary classrooms to do STEM activities with the younger students. Thank you to the teachers at the elementary campuses who always welcomed me into your classrooms. I really enjoyed working with you and your students. I miss the energy of the students, and especially their hugs!

Thank you so much for the memorable journey! May God’s blessings be upon you all. My time at Xavier was a great experience with such wonderful and friendly people. I never thought it was work but just enjoying another day with a great bunch of fellow staff, parents and students!

Liz VanHandel

17 Years, XHS Business Teacher

Ms. Liz Van Handel has been a Business teacher and library / media specialist for the past 17 years at Xavier. She helped to develop curriculum, move the Library Media Center into a digital era, and bring business students to numerous competitions and conferences. Thank you to Ms. Van Handel for her service - we hope she finds retirement relaxing and fulfilling.

Chris Bohne

2 Years, XHS Facilities Advisor

A word of advice that will pay great dividends throughout your life is: respect and take care of the lowest ranking people in your organization. It is often they who you can least afford to be without. Listen to their suggestions, and explain why you want things done a certain way. A leader takes care of his/her people before taking care of self. Study servant leadership!