Doug Bacon, center, is retiring from Marshalltown High School after 25 years of service. Also pictured: Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte (left) and School Board Vice President Sean Heitmann (right).
Several longtime Bobcat staff members are stepping into retirement this year, and their service, positive impact on students, and roles as great coworkers were celebrated Tuesday afternoon during the MEA-MCSD Retirement Tea.
This year’s retirees include Doug Bacon (MHS), Pam Brewer-Michael (Central Office), Mickie Carlson (MHS), Raquel Chairez (Miller Middle School), Kathy Cox (Miller Middle School), Lori Ferneau (Rogers Elementary), Diane Hart (MHS), Jim Lankelma (Woodbury Elementary), Gary Mertens (MHS), Brenda Sjoblom (MHS), Lisa Williams (Miller Middle School), Kathleen Waltermire (Food Service), and Rod Whitmore (MHS/Marshalltown Police Department).
Several of the retirees were joined by coworkers at Tuesday’s event – the coworkers shared happy memories, examples of great teamwork, lessons learned, and funny anecdotes from their time with this year’s retirees.
In addition to celebrating retirees, Joe and Janelle Carter were named this year’s Friend of Education award recipients at the Tea, and students Frances Jackson and Megan Sills were announced as MEA Scholarship recipients.
Congratulations to all of this year’s retiring Bobcats! We are grateful for your years of service to students and wish you the very best in retirement! See below for more photos from Tuesday’s Retirement Tea. See more photos from Tuesday’s Retirement Tea here.
This year’s Friend of Education award went to Janelle (center) and Joe Carter (right). Retired MHS teacher Mike Loupee, left, nominated the Carters due to their longtime commitment to and support of Marshalltown Schools.
Pam Brewer-Michael, second from right, is retiring this year after two decades as a teacher and teacher-leader at MCSD. Also pictured, from left: MHS XLP teacher Susan Fritzell, Dr. Schutte, and Heitmann.
Retiring MHS At-Risk program teacher Gary Mertens, third from right, will be missed by his coworkers. They have enjoyed his humor and have been impressed by his ability to work with students. Also pictured, from left: Dr. Schutte, MHS school counselors Meri Edel, Val Corson, and Rebecca Whalen, and Heitmann.
Retiree Lori Ferneau, second from left, has displayed an excellent ability to form positive relationships with students at Rogers Elementary and other buildings she has worked in her time at MCSD. Rogers Principal Dr. Mick Jurgensen, second from right, praised Ferneau’s ability to form bonds with students. Also pictured are Dr. Schutte, left, and Heitmann, right.
MHS math teacher Brenda Sjoblom, center, retires this year after 22 years serving students at MCSD. Also pictured are Dr. Schutte, left, and Heitmann, right.
