Dozens of longtime educators and other school staffers are retiring this spring across Nebraska and western Iowa, many of them beloved figures who represent hundreds of years of experience. Here are just a few from the metropolitan area:
Millard Public Schools
Marilyn Yeck has been teaching for 38 years, 34 of them at Cody Elementary. “She has been an integral part of our community, and her influence will be felt for generations to come,” said Matthew Dominy, Cody's principal.
Merry Ann Coe, a sixth-grade teacher at Russell Middle School, was a positive, patient presence throughout her 36 years of teaching, said Mitch Mollring, Russell's principal. “She was the kind of teacher that all parents wish their children could experience,” he said.
Lorrie Schrad taught health and family and consumer sciences for 32 years. Jeff Alfrey, principal of Andersen Middle School, said she was conscientious about teaching students to think and to choose wisely in the decisions they made every day.
Nancy Robson's zest for music education won't soon be forgotten, said Joshua Fields, principal at Black Elk Elementary School. Robson affected hundreds of students for the good in her 31 years with the district.
Omaha Public Schools
Kent Day developed, from scratch, Beveridge Magnet Middle School's international studies program, said David Lavender, principal. A recipient of the Buffett Award, Day also has been involved in efforts to help refugees and initiated a fundraiser for Haitian earthquake aid that won Beveridge recognition from the Nebraska Legislature.
Lori Danner appears to have saved one of the best moments in her 34-plus years in education for last. The North High School physical education teacher and girls track coach recently led her team to its first Class A title. Danner, who has coached the girls team for 10 years, will continue as an associate head girls track coach in charge of special projects.
Steve Goolsby spent his entire career, 32 years, at Nathan Hale Middle School. Susan Colvin, Hale's principal, said a young teacher told her last fall that he wanted to be a Mr. Goolsby: making a difference in kids' lives, continuing to learn and earning the community's respect.
Bellevue Public Schools
LeAnn Jobes began her 30-year career with the Bellevue schools as a secretary at Mission Middle School. Three years later, she transferred to Bellevue East High School and became secretary of athletics and activities. She's held the post ever since, becoming a well-recognized figure in the school.
Dorothy Krasa, an individualized special education classroom teacher at Bellevue East High School, began her career in special education 25 years ago. She has received the Nebraska Teacher of the Year Award from the Council for Exceptional Children, a professional organization for teachers of special education and gifted students.
Linda Cadwell taught for 36 years at Peter Sarpy Elementary School. Outside her classroom, she has been involved in a number of other roles, including the Bellevue Education Association executive board and the literacy-promoting Metropolitan Reading Council.
Steve Lebedz has been involved in a variety of roles in and out of his 12th-grade English classroom at Bellevue West High School. He served as English department chairman as well as assistant softball coach and varsity boys' golf coach.
Council Bluffs Community Schools
Jim Misner, orchestra director and instructor at Kirn Middle School, has been at Kirn for 25 years, with the district for 40 years and a teacher for 45 years. Co-workers said Misner provides challenging musical experiences for elementary and junior high students. He organized and directed the annual all-city orchestra concert.
Papillion-La Vista Schools
Richard "Butch" Kimball taught in the Papillion-La Vista schools for 32 years. His latest post was physical education teacher at La Vista Junior High. He also was a long-time Papillion-La Vista High School baseball coach. He also coached wrestling and served as the intramural director at La Vista Junior High. Said Tom Furby, principal at La Vista Junior High: "Butch has had a major impact on the lives of kids both in the classroom and outside the classroom through intramurals and varsity sports."
Bette Hallstrom taught in the district for 35 years, most recently as the reading teacher at La Vista Junior High. She also taught reading at several elementary schools throughout the district. "Bette has contributed greatly to the future of our students by helping so many master the number one basic skill of reading," Furby said .
Linda Vacek taught for the past 33 years at La Vista West Elementary, wrapping up her career as a second grade teacher. Lisa Wood, Principal at La Vista West Elementary said Vacek was “completely dedicated” to serving the students and families at La Vista West.
Kathy Weaver taught special education at Papillion-La Vista High School. For 31 years, she was dedicated to students with disabilities and to making sure they were included with their peers, said George Spilker, director of Special Services for the district.
Compiled by World-Herald staff writer Julie Anderson.
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