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Retiree Spotlight

Orland School District 135 extends our heartfelt gratitude to the following educators who will be retiring from District 135 at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year. Their years of service, dedication, and positive impact have shaped the lives of countless students. Please join us in celebrating their accomplishments and wishing them all the best in their well-deserved retirement.

Tori Alvarez - 25 Years 

Tori Alvarez, a beloved first-grade teacher for 25 years at Park Elementary School, is retiring.

Ms. Alvarez's journey to education began with a career as a florist. She later pursued a nursing certificate, but her path took an unexpected turn when she accepted a position at St. Colette's School of Illinois, caring for developmentally disabled teenagers. This experience ignited her passion for working with children, leading her to change her degree to teaching.

Ms. Alvarez's advice for new teachers is both heartfelt and practical: "Enjoy every minute, the years go by so fast! Be sure to save some of your favorite cards/notes from families/students to keep in your desk drawer to read whenever you need a reminder of why you do what you do." 

One of Ms. Alvarez's most cherished memories is a unique and creative project: "Creating a cereal house out of 100 cereal boxes and being asked to display it at the Orland Expo many years ago." 

In retirement, Ms. Alvarez is looking forward to embracing new adventures. She is excited to travel, prioritize her fitness, and enjoy the freedom to attend concerts on a weeknight! While she is eager to explore new horizons, she will undoubtedly miss the daily warmth and joy of "the children's hugs and smiles!"

 

Lynn Duehr - 16 years 

Lynn Duehr, a valued member of the educational community for 16 years, is retiring from her position as a paraprofessional. Throughout her career, she served at various schools within the district, including Prairie, Park, Liberty, and most recently, High Point.

Prior to her role as a paraprofessional, Ms. Duehr taught at a private school. When the school closed, her mother-in-law, a retired teacher from  D135, encouraged her to consider a paraprofessional position. Ms. Duehr, always driven by a desire to help others, embraced this new opportunity.

During her 16 years of service, Ms. Duehr consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to student success. She provided invaluable support to teachers and students alike, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. Her advice for new teachers is simple yet profound: "See your position as a calling and not just a job."

Reflecting on her career, Ms. Duehr cherishes the opportunity to work with a diverse group of teachers. She recalls, "I have been fortunate to view firsthand all the different ways they are able to make a difference in students' lives."

As Ms. Duehr embarks on her retirement, she is eager to "start a new adventure." While she is excited for this new chapter, she will undoubtedly miss the close-knit community and the "people that have become my work family."

Allison Gawron - 34 Years 

Allison Gawron, a respected Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for 34 years, is retiring from Century Jr. High and Jerling Jr. High. 

Driven by a desire to assist students with special needs, Ms. Gawron dedicated her career to improving communication skills and fostering a supportive learning environment for all. Her advice for new teachers, "Hang in there," reflects the resilience and dedication required in the demanding yet rewarding field of education.

One of Ms. Gawron's most memorable experiences as a junior high SLP occurred during a Six Flags field trip with 8th graders. Despite her initial apprehension about thrill rides, she agreed to accompany an eager student on the iconic Superman roller coaster. What followed was an unforgettable (and somewhat harrowing) experience. The intense G-forces and dizzying heights proved too much for Ms. Gawron, resulting in a severe bout of motion sickness. While the student emerged exhilarated, Ms. Gawron was left feeling green and regretful. 

In retirement, Ms. Gawron is looking forward to traveling and spending quality time with her sons. While she is excited for this new chapter, she will undoubtedly miss the camaraderie and support she shared with her colleagues.

Dali Hoover - 20 Years 

Dali Hoover is retiring from Liberty Elementary School after a distinguished 20-year career as a Special Education Resource Teacher. Her journey into education began with a profound introspection at the age of 40. "What am I going to do for the rest of my life?" she asked herself. The answer, she discovered, lay in the field of education. A presentation by Dr. Therese Hogan at Dominican University about the profound impact of special education teachers ignited a spark within her. Five years later, armed with a Master's in Special Education, Ms. Hoover embarked on her fulfilling career, dedicating the majority of her 22-year teaching career to the Orland School District 135 community, specifically spending 19 years with the Liberty School Family.

Ms. Hoover's advice for new teachers is both insightful and encouraging: "This is a long-haul career – most of the time, you will never see the full extent of your impact on a child's well-being. However, those unexpected moments, like a 'grown child' showing up at your classroom door or sending you a heartfelt email, will remind you of the profound difference you make. So have faith in yourself and your students, cultivate a positive mindset each day, and always prioritize the overall well-being of your students, encouraging them to learn, grow, and find happiness." 

Reflecting on her career, Ms. Hoover cherishes the numerous rewarding moments that have shaped her journey. "Witnessing that 'aha!' moment in a child, supporting children and their families beyond the classroom walls, experiencing the unwavering support of my colleagues during challenging times, and receiving spontaneous hugs from grateful students – these are the memories that will forever be etched in my heart," she shares. 

While Ms. Hoover is retiring from full-time teaching, her commitment to children will continue. "I'm retiring from full-time teaching, but I will always be working somehow with children!" she affirms.

Amy Kmiecik - 31 Years 

Amy Kmiecik, a respected educator with 31 years of dedicated service to the Orland School District 135, is retiring from her position as a Reading Interventionist at Centennial School.

Ms. Kmiecik's career in education spanned a variety of roles within the district, including 3rd grade classroom teacher, early childhood resource teacher, primary resource teacher, and ultimately, reading recovery/reading interventionist. 

Reflecting on her retirement, Ms. Kmiecik is looking forward to embracing a life of greater freedom and self-directedness. "Waking up without an alarm clock," she shares, "the freedom to travel and become a snowbird, having more energy and less stress, filling my days with people I love and activities that bring me joy, and experiencing wasted time" – these are just a few of the joys she anticipates in retirement.

While she is excited for this new chapter, Ms. Kmiecik will undoubtedly miss the most rewarding aspects of her career: "the smiles, hugs, and love from my students, making a difference in so many lives, and teaching children to become life-long readers."

Colleen Panega - 19 Years 

Colleen Panega is retiring from Jerling Junior High School, concluding a successful 19-year career as a dedicated educator. She taught a diverse range of subjects, including Reading Plus, Social Studies, and Language Arts.

Inspired by her own high school English teacher, Ms. Panega pursued a career in education with a deep desire to inspire and guide young minds. Her dedication to her students was evident in her engaging teaching style and her commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Reflecting on her career, Ms. Panega fondly recalls the many clubs she advised: Dance, ASL, Environment, Fitness, Culture, and Fishing. These clubs provided students with valuable opportunities to explore their interests, develop their talents, and build lasting friendships.

Ms. Panega's advice for new teachers is both practical and heartfelt: "Be patient, be confident, and take care of yourself." 

In retirement, Ms. Panega is looking forward to embracing new adventures, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. While she is excited for this new chapter, she will undoubtedly miss "her co-worker, Alani Jensen".

Valeria Plotke - 33 years 

Valeria Plotke, a cherised educator for 33 years, is reitiring from Meadow Ridge School where she dedicated her career to inspiring young minds. As a fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Plotke fostered a love of learning in countless students.

Her passion for education stemmed from a lifelong love of children. "I always knew I wanted to become an elementary teacher because I loved children!" she recalls. "I babysat a lot when I was young and knew this was my calling."

Ms. Plotke's dedication to her students was evident in her teaching philosophy. "Make your lessons fun," she advises new teachers, "and the kids will want to come to school and will look forward to school every day!" This emphasis on engaging and joyful learning experiences undoubtedly contributed to the positive and enriching learning environment she cultivated for her students.

One of Ms. Plotke's most cherished memories is of being hired by Principal Dotty Woodhouse in 1991 to teach fifth grade. "She was an amazing principal," Ms. Plotke recalls, "because she spent 25 years in the classroom before becoming a principal. She could always relate to her staff and she was an outstanding educator. I remember one lesson when she taught the Liberty staff about oxymorons using a geode/amethyst. It was remarkable and I'll never forget it!"

In retirement, Ms. Plotke is looking forward to traveling and finally enjoying the luxury of not waking up at 5:00 AM. While she is excited for this new chapter, she will undoubtedly miss the camaraderie of her colleagues the most.

Joan Polaski - 19 Years

Joan Polaski is reitirng from her position as a Resource Paraprofessional at Orland Junior High School, concluding a fulfilling career dedicated to supporting student learning.

Driven by a passion for sharing knowledge and a desire to contribute to the community, Ms. Polaski pursued a career in education. As a lifelong resident of the school district, she deeply valued the high-quality education her family received and sought to play a role in continuing that tradition of excellence.

Ms. Polaski's advice for new teachers emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and seeking support: "I would recommend that they make those everyday positive connections with the students and seek out support and collaboration of ideas with colleagues." 

Reflecting on her career, Ms. Polaski cherishes the countless memorable moments she shared with her students. "There are so many wonderful memories," she recalls, "but my favorite is watching all the learning and fun the students had conducting hands-on science experiments, such as building rockets, building bridges, and dissecting frogs!" 

In retirement, Ms. Polaski is looking forward to embracing new adventures. She is eager to spend more time with family and friends and pursue her passion for travel, with dreams of exploring countries like Greece, France, and Spain. While she is excited for this new chapter, she will undoubtedly miss the "amazing students and staff that I worked with every day."

Mari Kay Reeves - 33 years

Mari Kay Reeves, a beloved educator at Meadow Ridge School, is retiring after a remarkable 33-year career. During her tenure, she dedicated herself to inspiring young minds, teaching Kindergarten, third grade, and fifth grade students.

Drawn to the joy of working with children, Reeves' passion for education was ignited by her experiences as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Her family's legacy of teaching further solidified her career path.

Reeves' advice for aspiring educators is to prioritize positivity and emotional well-being. She believes that a happy and calm teacher creates a conducive learning environment, fostering both academic and social success.

As she reflects on her career, Reeves cherishes the countless friendships and shared laughter that have enriched her professional life. The connections she has forged with colleagues have been a significant source of joy and fulfillment.

In retirement, Reeves looks forward to relocating to Michigan to be closer to her sons. While she anticipates this new chapter, she will deeply miss the magical moments of shared learning and engagement with her students.

Denise Zangri - 26 Years 

Denise Zangri, a valuable member of the District 135 community for over 26 years, is retiring from her position as an Internet Technology Assistant (ITA) at Liberty School.

Ms. Zangri's journey with the district began as a lunchroom supervisor, a role she held for 1.5 years. She then transitioned to the role of paraprofessional, where she served for 11 years, gaining valuable experience in supporting student learning. Following this, she worked as an ITA at Jerling Junior High for 6.5 years before joining the team at Liberty 7.5 years ago.

Ms. Zangri's decision to pursue a career in education stemmed from a desire to be present for her two children, who are both D135 alumni. "I left the corporate world to raise my two sons," she explains, "having the same schedule to be home when they were worked out." 

Ms. Zangri's advice for new teachers is both practical and insightful: "Have a backup teaching plan, pencil and paper, for when the internet goes down." 

Reflecting on her career, Ms. Zangri cherishes the "comradery and meeting new people" she experienced throughout her time with the district. 

While Ms. Zangri is looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and pursuing part-time opportunities in retirement, she will miss the "very busy schedule" that has defined her career.

Bill Zopf - 33 Years

Bill Zopf, a long-time physical education teacher for 33 years, is retiring from Jerling Junior High School. 

"I wanted to make a difference in children's lives," Mr. Zopf explains, highlighting his core motivation for entering the teaching profession. 

Mr. Zopf's advice for new teachers emphasizes the critical importance of classroom management: "Classroom management is the most important aspect of teaching. If you can manage your classroom effectively, you can teach anything." 

One of Mr. Zopf's most cherished memories is a unique and exciting experience: "My favorite memory is when Jerling had an actual rock band come into school and put on a concert for the students." 

In retirement, Mr. Zopf looks forward to a new chapter filled with family and personal pursuits. "I look forward to watching my children navigate their adulthood," he shares, expressing his excitement for this next phase of life. While he is eager to embrace retirement, he will miss "Not being able to work with my wife."