Park Ridge - Niles

The Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 Board of Education at its May 21 meeting recognized important staff milestones for 46 employees as the 2011-12 school year draws to a close.

Among its newest employees, 20 teachers will achieve tenure at the conclusion of the 2011-12 school year.  Tenure marks the successful completion of four consecutive years as a probationary teacher in District 64 and is an important milestone in a teacher’s career.   Board President John Heyde congratulated the teachers on this significant step. “We hope that working so closely with students and families in the District 64 community will bring you great satisfaction throughout your career, and that you will enjoy continually growing as an educator working alongside the other outstanding teachers here,” Heyde added.

In addition, District 64 announced the retirements of 21 staff members.  As a group, these individuals have contributed 421 years of service to District 64, according to Superintendent Philip Bender.  “Whether they have been with our District for just a few years or have dedicated their entire professional career to District 64, we thank the staff who are retiring for the dedication and enthusiasm they brought to us each day, working with students or supporting our schools,” Dr. Bender noted.  “We hope the next part of their lives are equally rewarding and challenging, and thank them for giving so much of their energies and talents to benefit the students and families of Park Ridge-Niles,” he added.

District 64 also honored six staff members who have attained 25 years of service, including one who is also retiring.

The 46 staff members being recognized this year include:

Carpenter School

• Karen Hastie – retirement, physical education teacher, 27 years of service to District 64
• Fred Klonsky – retirement, art teacher, 27 years of service to District 64
• Glenna Pearson – retirement, Learning Resource Center director, 18 years of service to District 64
• Robyn Schmit – tenure, special needs teacher
• Courtney Smee – tenure, speech language pathologist
• Sharon Stake – tenure, instructional resource teacher
• Catherine Weaver – retirement, speech language pathologist, 16 years of service to District 64

 Educational Service Center

• Diane Betts – retirement, Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning, 9 years of service to District 64
• Pat Maloney – retirement, payroll coordinator, 27 years of service to District 64
• Dr. Sandra Stringer – retirement, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, 10 years of service to District 64 

Emerson Middle School

• Jeffery Calloway – 25 years of service, head custodian
• Toni Giovannini – retirement, social worker, 18 years of service to District 64     

Field School

• Maryann Arsenjevic – tenure, Spanish teacher
• Karen Brandenburg – 25 years of service, instructional resources assistant
• Joani Heavey – retirement, District curriculum specialist for music and music teacher, 18 years of service to District 64
• Cathy Mozdren – retirement, grade 4 teacher, 16 years of service to District 64
• Judith Nieves – retirement, special needs assistant, 14 years of service to District 64
• Nancy Otto – tenure, kindergarten teacher
• Dena Sodos – 25 years of service, social worker

 Franklin School

• Susan Miller – tenure, grade 3 teacher
• Carol Pankau – tenure, grade 5 teacher
• Jennifer Proffer – tenure, speech language pathologist
• Kathleen Ross – retirement, District curriculum specialist for gifted/math, 16 years of service to District 64
• Alex Rubenstein – tenure, grade 4 teacher
• Sara Sianis – tenure, grade 5 teacher
• Jane Tufts – retirement, speech language pathologist, 24 years of service to District 64

 Jefferson School

• Gerry Berkowitz – retirement, District technology manager, 34 years of service to District 64
• Christy Holtz �