School Staff Turn Page to Last Chapter with District

The Port Washington-Saukville school year is quickly coming to and end and for two dozen teachers and staff members of the it's a bittersweet kind of closure.

That's because these dedicated educators will be leaving the district this year, and several attended a retirement banquet in their honor on Monday night.

While most are retiring after decades of service, a few are moving on to other career opportunities. Regardless of the reason, saying goodbye is never easy — but the men and women of   and elementary schools, , and district employees conjured up a few memories and offered some heartfelt parting thoughts.

Watchful eyes
Sharon Anzia worked as the night custodian for 23 years at Lincoln Elementary School and said the only way to sum up her tenure is with a quote from the movie "The Breakfast Club."

"'The janitor is the eyes and ears of the school.' I have found this to be true once too often, but in a good way," she said.

Linda Laurenzi-Coulson taught kindergarten at Lincoln and finished her 25th year with the district. Coulson said she believes that kindergarten is the best grade to teach.

"Seeing the progress the students make from the beginning to the end of the year is one of the things I will miss most," she said.

After 32 years of teaching special education, Catherine Pinchott will also be retiring from Lincoln Elementary.  She said working with kindergarten through fourth grade students has brought her so many delightful moments over the years.

"A few years ago the entire school went to the Milwaukee County Zoo as an end to our school year theme of 'Be a Part of the Pride,'" she said. "It was so much fun to see all the grade levels there at the same time."

A lesson from the little things
Sandra Karpinski spent 20 of her 22 years at Lincoln Elementary School as a library paraprofessional. She’s unsure of her exact plans in retirement, but she knows one thing for certain.

"The thing I will miss most is the kids," she said.          

Eileen Balagna spent her years teaching at Thomas Jefferson Middle School as a reading specialist. She remembers many students who, over the years, became distraught over little things.

Her response to the students?

"If that’s the worst thing that happens to you today, you’re doing just fine," she would say. Balagna said she will miss her colleagues, friends and the parents who have provided so much support over the years.

John Berken said he’s had the privilege of teaching the students of the Port Washington-Saukville schools for 37 years.

"When I told my fifth-graders at Thomas Jefferson Middle School I was retiring they said, 'Oh, Mr. Berken, who is going to tell us we are awesome.' It’s that kind of connection I am truly going to miss," he said.

Likewise, Michele Weiland has made special bonds with her sixth-grade students at Thomas Jefferson Middle School over the last 15 years.  She said she will miss seeing the "light bulbs" go on when a student gets it, or is particularly engaged in a topic of discussion.

Port Washington High School is also losing one of its math teachers in January 2012 after 31 years with the district.

Reflecting upon his nearing end at the school, teacher Terry Wozny recalled a former student who e-mailed him a few years ago thanking him. The student had apparently applied something he had learned in one of Wozny’s classes in one of his college courses.

Wozny said it's little things like this he will miss most.

"I’m on second generations of kids now," he said. "That’s the kind of relationship I’ve had with my students and the community over the years."

Valuable memories
Joshua Haake has been the music and band teacher for the Port Washington-Saukville School District for nine years and is leaving to pursue a master’s degree.  He said he will miss the daily interactions with the students.

"The final band concert this year was a real high point,"Haake said. "I was so honored to see so many alumni and families turn out to celebrate the past decade.  It made me realize how lucky I am to do what I do."

Gary Myrah is retiring this year from the district as the director of special services. He has spent 27 years assisting children with special needs and said he has an incredible "basket" of fond memories.

"This is a great community with a fantastic administration and faculty," he said. "This is also a community whose residents believe in the value of education and have high expectations for their children as they graduate."

More teachers retiring
Other teachers retiring this year from Lincoln Elementary include: Ellyn Boynar, third grade teacher; James Chossek, physical education teacher; and JoEllen Schlereth, first grade teacher.

Three teachers from Dunwiddie Elementary School are retiring this year as well, including: Kathy Lemahieu, kindergarten teacher; Mary Wozny, first grade teacher; and Mary Ann Zuber, adaptive physical education teacher.

The Port Washington High School will also lose several more teachers to retirement, including: Nita Booth and Nora Dygon, communications teachers; Marti Christian, business education teacher; Deb Dassow, social studies teacher; Steve Farnsworth, special education teacher; Bob Kaczmarczik, German teacher; and Mary Webster, Nova Net teacher.

Several messages left with these teachers seeking comment were not returned.

One area school not in the district is also facing the loss of staff through retirement. Port Catholic Principal Lee Kaschinska is leaving his post this year after working in that position for 14 years. He was also unavailable for comment.

Port Washington Superintendent Michael Weber said he is sad to see the retirees go, but realizes that work must go on as usual come next school year.

"We’re losing some really top-notch people," he said. "We’ve got some great leaders (retiring) — and we’re going to miss them a lot. Others are just going to have to step up."