Life Skills Teacher Margaret Dickerson Retires

The June/July Employee of the Month is Margaret Dickerson, the learning assistant in the Life Skills program at .

Margaret's retirement is effective as of the end of this school year after ten years in this position. She has been happily married to her husband, George, for 45 years. They have two children, who are proud graduates of Springfield High School and college. She has three grandchildren, who she is looking forward to spending more time with in retirement. Margaret is retiring from her second career; she came to the district after working for Acme stores for 33 years.

Margaret has enjoyed helping the students in the Life Skills program learn how to tell time, count money, order and pay at a restaurant, wash and fold clothes, cook for themselves and use public transportation.

“I have loved working at Springfield High School with the exceptional children," she said. "I feel the students are a part of my extended family. They have embraced me, and I have embraced them back. The students are a source of great joy in my life.”

Margaret will certainly miss the high school, but she is looking forward to her retirement. She hopes to travel, plans on spending more time with her family, volunteering at her church and working in her neighborhood to improve the quality of life through education.

Staff were eager to compliment Margaret and wish her well in retirement.

“Margaret is a very kind, peaceful, and dedicated person," Sue Burke, the Life Skills teacher said. "She genuinely cares about the kids and their success. Margaret brings a very loving and motherly feeling to the Life Skills class that will so be missed.”

“Margaret is one of the most caring women I know," Deana Jespersen, the school psychologist added. "She is honest as she works with the kids and is incredibly patient and supportive of them all. She goes out of her way to make sure that they know that she is invested in their success. She has a very full heart and a wonderful calming spirit.”

“Mrs. Dickerson will be sorely missed," Principal Frank McKnight said. "Her caring and patient way with the students, day-in and day-out, made her special."

"She has earned a healthy and happy retirement, all of the Springfield School District is better for having shared ten years with her.”

For these reasons and many more, please celebrate Margaret Dickerson as the Springfield School District June/July Employee of the Month.