Fort honors retiring school district employees

By Kim McDarison

The School District of Fort Atkinson Thursday wished well 25 retiring staff members, 12 of whom attended a reception in their honor at the Fort Atkinson High School library. 

Addressing 55 family members, colleagues and friends who arrived to share in the celebration, were School District of Fort Atkinson Superintendent Rob Abbott, School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Eduction President Kory Knickrehm and State Rep. Scott Johnson, who gave each retiring teacher of “Citation from the Senate,” in recognition and appreciation of their time spent as Wisconsin educators. 

Each retiree also was presented with a corsage, and their choice of $50 in “Chamber Bucks” or an honorary bell with their name and years of service engraved upon it. 

This year’s retirees include Steve Bakken, Fort Atkinson Middle School math teacher, employed 30 years; Jory Banda, Purdy Elementary School paraprofessional, employed 14 years; Rebecca Behling, Fort Atkinson High School Spanish teacher, employed 33 years; Susan Brown, Rockwell Elementary School paraprofessional, employed 9 years; Wayne Clark, Fort Atkinson Middle School custodian, employed 26 years; Cheryl Costa, Purdy Elementary School paraprofessional, employed 7 years; Cathy Daly, Purdy Elementary School library media specialist, employed 13 years; Cheryl Ehrke, Rockwell Elementary School paraprofessional, employed 17 years; Nancy Erdmann, Fort Atkinson High School custodian, employed 22 years; Mahna Grossman, Barrie Elementary School paraprofessional, employed 27 years; Michelle Hanson, Fort Atkinson Middle School physical education/health teacher, employed 22 years; Julene Jaeckel, Fort Atkinson Middle School paraprofessional, employed 12 years; Mari Jones, Fort Atkinson High School custodian, employed 19 years; Dan Lenz, Fort Atkinson High School custodian, employed 18 years; Dana Linde, Fort Atkinson High School English language arts teacher, employed 25 years; Linda Mann, Rockwell Elementary School paraprofessional, employed more than five years; Shawn McDonough, Rockwell Elementary School fourth-grade teacher, employed 34 years; Karen Neuser, Fort Atkinson Middle School English language arts teacher, employed 32 years; Denise Poeppel, Luther Elementary School special education aide, employed 20 years; Gerald Shoup, Fort Atkinson High School special education teacher, employed more than nine years; Marilyn Smith, Luther Elementary School student learning aide,  employed 13 years; Laurie Strom, Fort Atkinson High School counselor, employed 21 years; Anthony Swantz, Fort Atkinson High School social studies teacher, employed 26 years; Deborah Sykes, Fort Atkinson Middle School business education teacher, employed 31 years, and Delanie Zimdars, Purdy Elementary School paraprofessional, employed 22 years.  

In his opening remarks, Abbott offered the retirees his “deepest gratitude,” calling each “ an integral pillar in the intricate structure of each of our schools, our district, and our larger community.” 

He also thanked the families of the retirees for their support and sacrifice as they supported the district’s employees in their endeavors to support the district’s learners. 

From the podium, Knickrehm called the occasion of the staff members’ retirement “a bittersweet moment,” and a “milestone accomplishment in one’s life journey.” 

He thanked the retirees for having chosen the School District of Fort Atkinson as the institution where each would “share your impact as you have positively influenced the lives of many.” 

He added: “From students to families, to the community, it is important to highlight the impact you have made on another group of people: your 1Fort team, your colleagues. Throughout your career, I’m sure you have experienced your share of ups and downs, but the thing that has remained constant is the care and dedication of your learning community. When we support one another, we are able to accomplish great things. You are a testament to that.” 

Johnson, next address the retirees. He, too, thanked them for their service and read aloud the words on the citation he brought for presentation to each retiree. 

The citation noted that each retiree “has served the Fort Atkinson School District with distinction,” having “performed (their) duties in the highest professional manner,” making them an “integral member,” of the district. 

Each citation was signed by State Sen. Steve Nass, Johnson, President of the Senate Chris Kapenga, and Chief Clerk of the Senate Mike Queensland. 

Photographs from the reception follow.