MANSFIELD — This year’s bunch of retirees from Mansfield City Schools represent more than 493 years of experience in the field of education and school support.
The district recognized 18 educators and support staff during a school board meeting Tuesday. The departing personnel include teachers, food service staff, nurses and administrators.
Fifteen retirees have worked in the district for more than 20 years. Joan Uzunoff, the head cook at Springmill STEM, is ending a 42-year career.
Each retiree received a plaque honoring them for their years of service. Director of technology Fayette Gahr shared a slideshow with staff member’s favorite memories and retirement plans.
“My favorite (memory) is being asked by a student how old I am,” said Anne Hufford, a special needs paraprofessional.
“When I answered he looked me dead in the eyes and said ‘Why are you still alive?'”
Patricia Lilley, an intervention specialist and middle school teacher, recalled the time a student knocked the faucet off her lab sink.
“I had a small geyser in the room and knocked ceiling tiles askew and flooded the floor and lower drawers,” she wrote. “I had a moment of shock and then went to shut off the water and got soaked in the process.”
Several staff members said they’d miss students and coworkers.
Cynthia Sallee, who has worked as a substitute teacher and secretary throughout the district, said a second grader drew her a picture that still hangs on her refrigerator today.
The full list of retirees include:
- Clara Freer, 8 years
- Anne Hufford, 14 years
- Cynthia Sallee, 17.5 years
- Susan Inscore, 21 years
- Patricia Lilley, 21 years
- Sherri Cornell, 23 years
- Betsy Moore, 25 years
- Nancy Niedermier, 27 years
- Ronald Kendall-Freas, 27 years
- Melissa Hanner, 30 years
- Susan BeMiller, 30 years
- Sharon Wiegand, 32 years
- Cathy Troyer, 33 years
- Teresa Fruth, 34 years
- Christine Jones, 34 years
- Robin Burkhardt, 36 years
- Andrea Moyer, 39 years
- Joan Uzunoff, 42 years