Over six centuries worth of institutional knowledge will say farewell to the Pella Community School District at the end of the month.
Twenty-six retiring teachers and staff were celebrated at an assembly and community open house Wednesday afternoon.
Marla Kettler has been an educator at Lincoln Elementary for 34 years and is among those leaving. She is the only person to have taught students in all three Lincoln facilities after the 3rd edition was completed this past winter.
Kettler says it’s bittersweet to end her career, but she cherishes memories made with colleagues, families, and kids.
“I think as teachers we kind of go into the field knowing that it’s kind of a mission,” she says. “The fact that we know we’re nuturing, we’re being builders of whatever they might become some day, and it’s kind of rewarding to see the success and to watch them at a young age knowing that there’s so much potential and who knows what they’ll become.”
Many of the 26 departing district employees took advantage of incentives provided through an early retirement program offered by the school board due to budget restraints expected next fiscal year.
The following staff members are retiring:
Janice Block – 24 yrs. (Teacher – Behaviorial Disorders)
Debra Burney – 24 yrs. (Custodian – Middle School)
Jim Emmert – 37 yrs. (Teacher – High School Art)
Tom (Red) Gaughan – 10 yrs. (Maintenance Technician)
Mark Goodrich – 20 yrs. (Teacher – Industrial Technology)
Donna Hasso – 14 yrs. (Teacher – Middle School Spanish)
Sue Hetland – 19 yrs. (Administrative Assistant)
Teresa Houser – 28 yrs. (Assistant Food Service Director)
Brian Huddle – 23 yrs. (Teacher – At-Risk)
Vicki Jones – 35 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)
Marla Kettler – 34 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)
Theresa Kohlhaas – 21 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary Special Education)
Karl Korver – 33 yrs. (Teacher – Middle School History)
Gina Linn – 26 yrs. (Teacher – High School English)
Becky Marlow – 25 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)
Sharon Miller – 15 yrs. (Administrative Assistant)
Jim Oliver – 28 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)
Kathy Pitkin – 33 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)
John Rietveld – 33 yrs. (Maintenance – Assistant Supervisor)
Cheryl Roose – 33 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)
Mary Ann Sterling – 22 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary Art)
Janice Vander Streek – 26 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)
Kris Van Wyk – 21 yrs. (Associate – Elementary)
Mary Vaverka – 22 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)
Ann Vos – 22 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)
Kathy Vos – 36 yrs. (Teacher – Elementary)