Teachers and Staff in School District 64 Mark Career Milestones

As the 2012-13 school year draws to a close, Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 is celebrating career milestones of 29 teachers and staff members.

Board of Education members at the May 20 meeting congratulated 13 teachers who will achieve tenure.  Tenure marks the successful completion of four consecutive years as a probationary teacher in District 64 and is an important achievement in a teacher’s career, according to Superintendent Philip Bender. 
   
In addition, District 64 announced the retirements of 13 staff members.  As a group, these individuals have contributed 235 years of service to District 64.

“We are grateful that the dedication of these enthusiastic, caring individuals working to keep kids first, whether in our classrooms or in behind-the-scenes roles, has benefitted our students and schools for so many years,” Dr. Bender stated.  “The high expectations for excellence they placed on themselves each day directly inspired students and colleagues,” he added.  “We wish them good health and well-deserved time to enjoy the new interests and opportunities now opening for them,” Dr. Bender noted.

District 64 also honored four staff members who have attained 25 years of service, including one who is also retiring.

The 29 staff members being recognized this year include:

Carpenter School

• Danielle Bielenda – tenure, grade 5 teacher
• Laura Campbell – tenure, social worker
• Carol Ann Regner – retirement, instructional resource assistant, 15 years of service to District 64
• Joyce Zimny – retirement, special needs assistant, 17 years of service to District 64

Educational Service Center

• Betty Lattanzio – retirement, purchasing manager, 30 years of service to District 64

Emerson Middle School

• Tim Benka – 25 years of service, Assistant Principal
• Abigail Sloan – retirement, grade 6 language arts teacher, 22 years of service to District 64
• Christopher Speilburg – tenure, grade 8, mathematics/science teacher
• Debra Stefan – retirement, special needs assistant, 12 years of service to District 64

Field School

• Karen Brandenburg, retirement, instructional resource assistant, 26 years of service to District 64
• Julie Chalberg – tenure, grade 1 teacher
• Lindsey Hejza – tenure, grade 5 teacher
• Jennifer Johnson – tenure, music teacher
• Laureen McGuire – retirement, special needs assistant, 8 years of service to District 64
• Bridget Nagai – tenure,    instructional resource/Channels of Challenge teacher
• Kellie Sultan – tenure, grade 4 teacher

Franklin School

• Amy Blobaum, retirement, special needs assistant, 17 years of service to District 64
• Matthew Gembala – 25 years of service and retirement, head custodian
• Andrea Hetzke – tenure, Learning Resource Center Director
• Mary McCabe – tenure, Instructional Resource teacher

Lincoln Middle School

• Eric Lawson – tenure, grade 6, social studies teacher
• Robert Miller – retirement, grade 8 science teacher, 21 years of service to District 64

Roosevelt School

• Jennifer Adams    – tenure, instructional resource teacher
• Sandra Christman – retirement, instructional resource assistant, 11 years of service to District 64
• Kristie Harvalis – tenure, grade 5 teacher
• Roberta Pallasch – retirement, Instructional Resource assistant, 23 years of service to District 64
• Dana Randel – 25 years of service, grade 2 teacher
• Janet Weimerslage – retirement, instructional resource assistant, 8 years of service to District 64

Washington School

• Eugenia Kotis – 25 years of service, grade 4 teacher