USD 428 proudly celebrates the careers of 12 teachers and staff members who are set to retire at the close of the 2021-2022 school year with an impressive 331 cumulative years of service to the field of education.
An Employee Recognition Banquet held on Wednesday, May 4 at the Great Bend Middle School celebrated retirees as well as teachers who have completed 25 years in the profession.
“This group of dedicated teachers and staff have made a tremendous impact on education in their years of servce,” said Khris Thexton, superintendent of USD 428, “This is always a special evening to pause and appreciate their individual career accomplishments as well as the cumulative ‘good’ they have done for our students, district, and community.”
Among the 2022 retirees, a dynamic duo from the Great Bend High School Activities Office will both retire at the close of the school year.
David Meter, GBHS activities director, has worked in nearly every building in the district during his 43-year career. He began as a physical education teacher at Roosevelt Jr. High and after completing his Masters Degree from Fort Hays State University, taught PE at several elementary schools while simultaneously coaching football, basketball and track for the Great Bend High School Panthers.
Meter was the principal at Park Elementary for 11 years before moving to Great Bend High School where he would spend 22 years as the Activities Director.
“You can’t find a better colleauge or friend,” said Tim Friess, principal of GBHS.
Meter’s career has seen significant improvements to GBHS facilities and programs. Some of which include developing the first class weight room, construction of the PAC, and enhancements at Memorial Stadium which include a larger grandstand, turf football field, and LED lighting.
While these improvements are noteable, Meter considers the himself “thankful and blessed for the opportunity to work with hundreds of students, staff, board of education members, parents, and community members for over four decades.”
“The people in Great Bend are the reason Cindy and I have stayed in this community,” said Meter.
Lana Wolf has been the center point of the GBHS activities office for 34 years.
“Lana created this position,” said Tim Friess, GBHS principal. “Every process you see, the countless activities added over the years, she’s been at the center organizing it all.”
“I always looked forward to the beginging of a new school year,” said Wolf. “I loved seeing the staff return, students back in the halls, and the excitement of the fall sports season.”
Retiring classroom teachers and certified staff include Denise Boone, Barton County Special Services; Sara Bretches, GBHS; Kathy Moore, GBHS; Sheryl Neeland, GBMS; and Deb Stanton, GBHS.
Denise Boone has been with USD 428 for 18 years as a school psychologist, serving students across the district and cooperative. When asked about positive changes observed during her tenure, Boone commented, “the growing awareness of social/emotional stress on a student’s ability to be academically successful is promising for current and future students.” Boone also shared that “working with students of all abilities has always been the best party of my job.”
For Sarah Bretches, a more than 30-year teaching career was inspired by “seeing the light bulb come on in a student’s mind.” After teaching in Haven, KS and Barton Community College, Bretches finished her career at Great Bend High School as a math teacher for the past three years.
Concluding her career of 37 years, 6 of those at Great Bend High School, Kathy Moore has taught PE, Art, K-12 Spanish, and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). Moore developed stong relationships with her small classes and hopes she inspired students to continue their educational journey.
“Spanish is my first love,” said Moore, “but teaching EL challenged me and gave me a sense of urgency about helping students learn.”
For 39 years, Sheryl Neeland has been caring for students both ‘in the moment’ and ‘for the future.’ Neeland began her career as a Kindergarten teacher and school nurse, serving 6 different buildings, before delving into the position of school counselor at GBMS for 29 years.
“As a counselor, Sheryl has had an impact on hundereds and hundereds of kids,” said David Reiser, principal at GBMS, “middle school is a transitional point in life and she’s used her big heart for kids to help them develop emotionaly and socially, learn to resolve conflicts, and meet their unique needs. Her sense of calm will be missed in our building and district.”
Deb Stanton has been a special education teacher for 41 years, spending 29 years in USD 428 at Great Bend High School, Riley Elementary, and Eisenhower Elementary. When asked about memories from her career, she spoke highly of the paraprofessionals who worked in her classroom throughout the years.
Retirees from USD 428 support services include, Marilyn Holinde, transportation & grounds (28 years); Jay Schneider, maintenance (7 years); Jose Andrade, maintenance (9 years); Becky Doonan, teacher assistant at GBMS (24 years); Teresa Mawhirter, paraprofessional, transporation & grounds (19 years).
“You just have to stop and smile when you think of this group of retirees,” said Thexton. “As they set off to enjoy extra time with family, hobbies, or whatever their next adventure, we know they carry forward their tireless dedication to the youth of our community. We express our deepest gratitude for their commitment and service to USD 428, and wish them congratulations!”
An additional four teachers were recognized for completing 25 years in the teaching profession. Receiving certificates of recognition from the University of Kansas were, Karen Clark (Great Bend High School), Deena Smith (Jefferson Elementary), Dan Heath (Great Bend High School), and Terri Rous (Barton County Special Services & Ellinwood Grade Schools).
For more information about recognition programs or careers in USD 428, please visit 428jobs.net or contact the District Education Center at 620-793-1500.