2019-2020 district retirees “kids & learning”

2019-2020 District Retirees

“Kids & Learning”

JO MAEDKEI have...

30 (1990-2020) years of service in this district.

I worked as a...

Library & LAP Aide at Grant, Tech I,

Technology Director.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “The People.”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement…

”Spending time with family and more time for friends.”

Words to describe JO:

Kind, Caring, Thoughtful, Loyal, Committed, Flexible, Team-Player, E.F. Hutton

SHERIE PATTERSON

I have...

30 years of service in this district.

I worked in...

the high school kitchen for my entire career.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “ I miss the kids the most”


“I’ve been busy around the house and I plan to travel with my sister who just retired. I have also enjoyed my family and friends.”

Words to describe SHERIE:

Dedicated, Helpful, Loves Kids, Great Boss, Generous, Fun

DIANE WEBERI have…

29 Years of Service to the Ephrata School District

I worked as a...

Special Education Para for 18 years and also worked in the Kitchen, Laundry,

and as a Custodian.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “Working with the students and collaborating with teachers.”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “Retirement has no Bells and is a perpetual weekend!”

Words to describe DIANE:

Dearly Loved, Always Supportive, Loves Kids, Great Sense of Humor, Always has a Smile, Beloved, and Respected

GRETA HANBERGI have…

24 Years of Service to the Ephrata School

District

I worked as a...

Paraprofessional at Ephrata Middle School.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… ”I have always loved learning new things. Beyond that, it is also most gratifying to observe and be a part of others' discovery in the world around them. I was privileged to participate in many subjects: English mechanics, literature, reading, writing, math, science, social studies, unstructured time/activities, and enjoyed them all. Thank you to the students and staff that made this all possible, and the friends I made along the way!”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “I look forward to spending more time in The Word and with my family, including play-time with our grandchildren. There is also much work to be done at home, both inside and out. We will soon introduce several Shetland sheep to control weeds and provide fiber for projects. There may even be a horse or donkey in the future! Other hobbies to pick up again are painting, gardening, guitar, reading, travel and exercise!”

Words to describe GRETA:Greta was an excellent paraprofessional who was always willing to volunteer to take on new work when her current work obligations allowed for it… she was a team player and was consistently willing to step up for staff and students. Greta also had a positive attitude and worked to be her personal best every day. Greta’s #1 strength was her “no stone left unturned attitude” as she was always looking out for the safety of the staff and students. Greta has been difficult to replace as she has moved into retirement.

CARLA PHEASANT

Years of Service: 16 years in the Ephrata School

District and 27.9 years in education.

Positions: Kindergarten thru 3rd Grade and 6th

Grade ELA/Social Studies teacher. 13 years in Special Education.

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One thing I miss the MOST… “seeing the kids’ smiling faces and excitement when they learn something new.”

Something I have enjoyed in my retirement…

“sleeping in :-) and spending time with my mom.”

Words to describe CARLA:

Creative, Caring, Kid-Centered

KAREN PATTERSON

I have...

2 years in the Ephrata School District and 40

years in education.

I worked as a/an...

SLP (Speech/Language Pathologist).

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “I miss everything about my job. Out of 40 years, this was the best job I ever had. I miss the students and staff. I felt loved, respected, & appreciated and was always included in school/district/community activities.”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “Over the years, I have acquired lots of books, yarn, looms, spinning wheels, sewing/embroidery/quilting machines, fabric, beads, and painting supplies. I am enjoying being able to put all of this stuff to good use. I read, sew, quilt, make jewelry, paint, spin, weave, knit, & crochet. The best part of being retired is waking up and deciding which toys I want to play with.”

Words to describe KAREN:

Colorful, advocate, dedicated, unique, experienced.

JULIE ROYI have…

# 14 years in this district and 26# total years in

education.

I worked as a...

para

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “The students and my family at Columbia Ridge.”


“Spending more time with family, lunch with friends in the middle of the week, remodeling our cabin on the west side and travel and trips.”

Words to describe JULIE:

Julie was a wonderful influence on all children that she came in contact with. She made the 12 years that we taught together such a joy.

CARRIE WANKE

I have…

# 39 years in this district and #41 total years in

education.

I worked as a...

A PE teacher

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “Working with children, being apart of the Columbia Ridge staff.”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “More time to do the things I want, more time with my grandkids, more time to travel when Mark retires, more time to have lunch with friends, no more school work.”

Words to describe CARRIE:Carrie is a passionate person about fitness and loves to share it with others. She is caring and is a great advocate for programs like jr. joggers. Carrie is organized, full of energy and always teaches from the heart. She also knows how to make great cookies and popcorn cakes that she loves to share. Her dedication to education has created a legacy of amazing citizens for 3+ decades.

2019-2020 District Retirees

“Kids & Learning”

KARIN BUCHMANN

I have…

34 years in this district.

I worked as a...

HOST program para, Curriculum and Federal

Programs Secretary, and a YESWOW

representative.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “THE PEOPLE I have worked with over the years! helping teachers, helping students; being challenged to step out of my tech comfort zone.”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “Time to volunteer, quilting & sewing, reading, dirt therapy (aka pulling weeds in my garden), morning walks, taking piano lessons, flexibility to change my 'to do' list; to name a few.”

Words to describe KARIN:

Dedicated, Compassionate, Polite, Resourceful, Hardworking, Reliable, Hopeful, Loyal

Karin shows great dedication and care and works hard behind the scenes to support quality programming in the various State & Federal Grants and Teaching & Learning Initiatives in the district. She has made valuable contributions to Ephrata Schools and to services provided to students and families. We wish you the best, Karin!

SHARON BOLTON

I have…

6 years in this district (2 as district employee and 4 as a contractor with NCESD) out

of 37 years in education.

I worked as a...

TVI/O&M (Teacher of the Visually Impaired/ Orientation

and Mobility Specialist).

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “The funny unique things kids say.”


“Traveling during the off season.”

Words to describe SHARON:

Generous, advocate, caring, sensitive, dedicated.

DAWN BOYD

I have…

35 years (31 permanent) in this district.

I worked as a...

Head Cook/Assistant Manager Food Services.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “I am really going to miss my coworkers and of course the kids.”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “visiting friends and camping during the middle of the week and gardening.”

Words to describe DAWN:

One in a million!

Dedicated, charismatic, fun

Precious

Caring

CAROL TVEIT

I have…

6 years with with this district.

I worked as a...

Bus monitor for SPED & Tiger Cub Preschool.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “is seeing the student’s smiling faces every day.”


“is spending more time with my husband, kids and grandkids.”

Words to describe Carol:

Carol was a dedicated monitor. She was always there to lend a hand. Carol became close to many of the students, and had fun interacting with them on the bus. Carol would attend Unified sporting events and graduation parties for her high school students.

CAMI DEHOOGI have…

35 years teaching in this district.

I worked as a...

Deaf Education Teacher, 1st/2nd Grade Combination Teacher, 4th Grade Teacher,

Alternative Education Teacher, Credit Retrieval and

Summer School Teacher

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “Helping kids be successful and feel positive about themselves”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “Keeping the books for the Dairy, spending more time with family, and travel”Travel

Words to describe CAMI:

Empathetic, Mentor, Flexible, Kids come first, Humorous, Persistent, Dedicated, Compassionate, Hard Working, Resourceful, Knowledgeable

NICOLE BROESCHI have…

15 years teaching in this district and 20 years in

education.

I worked as a...

Middle School and High School Math and Science

Teacher, Helped Coordinate the Science Fair at Columbia

Ridge and Parkway.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “I will miss the interaction with students.”


“I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family.”

Words to describe NICOLE:

Compassionate, Empathetic, Conscientious, Thoughtful, Always willing to help and share

DON JOHNSTADI have…

15 years working in the district.

I worked as a...

Para-Educator in the life skills classroom, assisted in choir, and worked in

Maintence as a carpenter

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One thing I will miss the MOST…

“I miss the staff and kids, I loved the life skills students”


“Spending time with family and grandkids”

Words to describe DON:

Grateful for all of life’s gifts, Knowledgeable, Compassionate, Caring, A Noble Servant to Others, Happy, Positive, Genuine, and Patient

BOBI SPENCEI have…

21 years in this district and 35 years in education.

I worked as a...

Para-Educator at the Middle School and High

School, High School Special Education and Social Studies teacher.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “I’ll miss the sound of children, the first day of school, and students saying ‘Thank you for teaching me’.”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “Planting flowers from March until the frost, working on my crafts, being able to travel, and acting like I've not a care.”

Words to describe BOBI:

Dedicated, Well Educated, High Expectations, Relationship Driven, Prideful, Service Minded

MAGGIE KILLINGERI have…

20 years in this district and 29 years in

education.

I worked as a...

High School Business Education Teacher, CTE Director, FBLA Advisor, Student Store Advisor.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “I will miss the students and the classroom.”


“Looking forward to having time to do the simple things like reading a book, taking a walk, and having more time with family.”

Words to describe MAGGIE:

Caring, Compassionate, Easy Going, Free Spirit, Unique, Family Oriented, Adventurous, Independent

DOMINIQUE BRACHT

I have…25 years in the Ephrata School District, but she also taught

preschool and adult parenting classes.

I worked as a... 7th Grade Social Studies, 8th Grade History, 7th Grade LA, 8th Grade English teacher; Reading Specialist at

Parkway for the last 10 years and GLAD trainer for the District.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “working with students and watching them learn and grow, working with my peers (friends) who have taught me so much each and every day, and the sense of mission and purpose in what we do.”Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “I am truly looking forward to having time with my best friend (and husband of almost 37 years), Gary. I am also excited to have more opportunities to visit family (children, grandchildren, dad). I am also looking forward to building up callouses on my rump from all the time exploring by horseback!”

Words to describe DOMINIQUE:

Gracious, Diligent, Hard-Working, Dedicated, Supportive, Involved, Mentor, Positive

ROSIBEL DAVILAI have…

39+# years in this district and 25.5# total years in

education.

I worked as a...

Para , translator, interpreter, home/school liaison, migrant

program,and grandma for

Many kids.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “The kids and Columbia Ridge family.”


“I want to travel to warmer places and spend time with family and grandkids.”

Words to describe ROSIBEL:

Rosibel has excelled in her role as cultural advocate. Many families have benefited from her sincere care. She has clearly taken pride in her work as a dedicated Columbia Ridge team member. Many will tell you that her tamales and pupusas are to die for. We wish you well Rosibel, you will be dearly missed.

ROSEMARY STUMP

I have…

14 years in this district and 25 years in

education.

I worked as a...

Music, Art, and Enrichment Teacher.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “the wonderful staff and students!”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “a new chapter will be written with adventures, people, places and family!”

Words to describe ROSEMARY:

Positive, exciting, bubbly, energetic, caring, lights up a room, great friend, strong presence, F-U-N, loving, ray of sunshine every day, all heart, giving, sweet, upbeat, generous, creative, makes everyone feel heard and loved, thoughtful, the best!

CHRISTY BLUEI have…


I worked as a...

Kindergarten, 3rd grade, 1:1, reading intervention,

EMS and HS Running Start para. The last 15

years I’ve been an elementary librarian at

Grant.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “I will definitely miss all the friends/coworkers I could see and get support from everyday. Reading stories to kids!!! So much enjoyment when you see how much they love being read to. Looking back, I can’t believe how terrified I was to read to my daughter’s 4th grade class 30 years ago as a room mom for Mrs. Forrester. Being the librarian at Grant has given me a unique opportunity to get to know each and every child that has attended here for the past 15 years. I have LOVED, LOVED my job!!! Thank you to everyone who have told me, “You’ll surely be missed”. I will miss you, I do already!”

Something I am looking forward to in my retirement… “I am looking forward to having more time for my yards, Grandkids, and fishing.”

Words to describe CHRISTY:

Steadfast, caring, fit, kind, a treasure, funny, giving, flexible, loved by so many, awesome librarian, compassionate, organized, resourceful, great at connecting with kids and motivating them, passionate, a gem!

CAROL LAPLANT

I have…


I worked as a...

LAP paraprofessional at Beezley Springs & a

Kindergarten/1st grade paraprofessional at

Grant.

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One thing I will miss the MOST… “I will miss the students and watching them from from 5 year olds to 4th grade.”


“Spending time in Ohio with my grandkids and Spokane.”

Words to describe CAROL:

Balanced, flexible, patient, kind, helpful, loving, best for kids, consistent, reliable, hard worker, gentle, nice, beautiful inside and out, dependable, will do whatever it takes!

ROCK WITTEI have...


I worked as a...

Groundskeeper, Classroom Aide,

Custodian, Heat & Plumbing Engineer, Asst.

Maintenance Supervisor, & Maintenance Supervisor.

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One thing I will miss the MOST…

“The interaction with staff and students, and all the challenges.”


“More time with the wife and our new place, and building hot rods.”

Words to describe ROCK:

Thankful, Appreciative, Loyal, Mechanical, Genius Engineer Mind, Creative, Friend to All, Yes!

2019-2020 district retirees “kids & learning”

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