Geneva Says Fond Farewell to 500 Years of Teaching Experience

When the final bell sounds at the end of the May 31 school day, expect hugs, kisses and maybe a few tears, as Geneva public schools say goodbye to an accumulated 500-plus years of experience.

At Monday night's School Board meeting, principals at six Geneva schools plus Assistent Superintendent Craig Collins had a chance to say some kinds words about the folks who's served the district as teachers and support staff.

Speaking purely on a personal note, Debra Scholle remains one of the favorites teachers of our youngest, Brenda Bevans was remarkable in her support of our oldest daughter—and of her parents—as was Diane Rogowski at Geneva High School. Jim Burger taught both me and my youngest daughter (40 years apart) at Geneva High School—we've already written about him, but can never say enough. I got a little teary-eyed when I saw that Cheryl Olson was retiring as a secretary in the central office—she is a Geneva gem.

I am absolutely positive that people in Geneva have similar memories of all the other teachers and support staff on the list below. 

Sadly, in my opinion, a contract dispute and threat of a teachers strike last year created a lot of hard feelings and a very public us-versus-them confrontation that I don't recall seeing in the 50-plus years I've been around these parts.

That's one reason it's so important to remember that it's "us" and "us," not us and them, and to celebrate all the wonderful connections and memories that have impacted the lives of the students and parents of Geneva through the work of these amazing educators and friends.

Thank you, to all.

This year’s retirees are:

Harrison Street School

• Brenda Bevans, Special Education Teacher at Harrison Street Elementary School
• Roger Parazaider, Fifth Grade Teacher at Harrison Street Elementary School
• Debra Scholle, Fifth Grade Teacher at Harrison Street Elementary School

Heartland Elementary School

• Kathleen Chroust, General Music Teacher at Heartland Elementary School

Mill Creek Elementary School

• Lucy Ledford, Third Grade Teacher at Mill Creek Elementary School
• Catherine Lewis, Third Grade Teacher at Mill Creek Elementary School

Western Avenue School

• Marline Krug, Fourth Grade Teacher at Western Avenue Elementary School
• Margwen Roberts, Special Education Teacher at Western Avenue Elementary School
• Patricia Zachwieja, Third Grade Teacher at Western Avenue Elementary School

Geneva Middle School South

• Dorothea Finatri, Language Arts Teacher at Geneva Middle School South
• Mary Louise Gobel, Science Teacher at Geneva Middle School South

Geneva High School

• Scott Bevans, Science Teacher at Geneva High School
• James Burger, Mathematics Teacher at Geneva High School
• Rebecca Card, English Language Learning Teacher at Geneva High School
• Stephen Downen, Custodian at Geneva High School
• Stephen Lowry, Custodian at Geneva High School
• Norberto Melendez, Custodian at Geneva High School
• Diane Rogowski, Special Education Teacher at Geneva High School

Central Office

• Sharon Kryszak, Accounting Specialist at Central Office
• Cheryl Olson, Secretary at Central Office
• Patricia Tagliere, Secretary at Central Office

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