The Mercer Island School District honored its 2015-16 retirees at a celebration June 8 in the Mercer Island High School library.
“We thank these retirees for their decades of dedicated service to the children of Mercer Island, and wish them only the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives,” said Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano in a press release.
The district hired Paula Giovanelli, Lakeridge Elementary teacher, in 1989.
Giovanelli has taught at Lakeridge for 26 years. She grew up on Mercer Island and is a former Lakeridge student. She has kept her co-workers all laughing over the years with her wonderful and funny stories.
“Polly is passionate about teaching,” said Lakeridge principal Jenny McAlaine. “Her students loved her and she loved them. For many years Polly invited Covenant Shores seniors to visit her second graders to see a performance. She loves story time while using different voices during the reading, keeping her students glued to the story.”
Joleen Hiltner, West Mercer paraprofessional, was hired in 1991.
Her first job was as a crossing guard, crossing her own children on their way to West Mercer. She has continued to fill many roles as a playground supervisor and paraprofessional at West Mercer.
“Joleen has a strong commitment to building relationships as she does her work,” said West Mercer principal Carol Best. “She has a belief that every child can and will learn when given the right tools and environment, and she uses all her skills to ensure that each child with whom she works is successful.”
Yasuko Ishijima, Islander Middle School paraprofessional, was hired in 1993.
Ishijima began teaching Lego robotics at Lakeridge in the 1990s and Japanese language to elementary school students. She was active in the Island Park and Lakeridge PTA and received the Golden Acorn Award in 1991.
“Yasuko is so incredibly dedicated to Islander Middle School,” said IMS co-principal Mary Jo Budzius. “She is thoughtful and kind and works with some of the school’s students who learn differently. She is always there for students and pushes them to be their very best selves.”
Nancy Johnstone, Island Park Elementary teacher, was hired in 1991.
She began her career as a paraprofessional, then becoming a certificated teacher in 1996, spending her entire MISD career at Island Park.
“Nancy’s singular focus has been to help all students achieve, particularly those with academic or social challenges,” said Island Park principal David Hoffman. “In her quiet, non-nonsense manner, and with a great deal of subtle Southern charm, she provided all her students with the daily structure, academic support and unconditional love that they needed to flourish both in and outside of the classroom.”
Nancy Kidder has been head secretary at Crest Learning Center since 2009.
She served in many roles over the years as a substitute paraprofessional in the elementary schools in the 1980s and early 1990s. She was hired as a regular employee as a paraprofessional in special education at Crest Learning Center and later as a paraprofessional and secretary at Islander Middle School.
“She is always smiling and cheerful to everyone she comes into contact with,” said MIHS principal Vicki Puckett. “She is loved by the students and well respected by the staff at Crest and everyone will miss her.”
Shelly Krispin is a registrar at Islander Middle School. She was first hired in 1997 as a paraprofessional. She later became secretary and has served as IMS registar since 2004.
“Shelly has been a long-standing and beloved member of the IMS staff,” Budzius said. “She has a huge level of knowledge about Islander and is a positive influence and contact for new families as they enter our school. She is fiercely loyal and very dedicated to students.”
Doris Stuck, West Mercer Elementary paraprofessional, was hired in 1996.
“Doris is a valued member of the Learning Support Team working at West Mercer,” Best said. “She is a dedicated professional and is passionate about ensuring that each child is successful. She listens and observes each child, looking for ways to support them in their learning. Doris has been working with children in the district for the past 20 years, supporting them as they develop their skills in literacy and math.”
Jane Sullivan, Mercer Island High School teacher, was hired in 2002. She was a volunteer at Lakeridge and also taught at Interlake High School before coming to MIHS.
“Jane has spent most of her career dedicated to students with special needs,” Puckett said. “She was especially drawn to students with unique struggles in their lives besides their individual learning needs. She worked closely with families who needed someone to help them find resources when they needed them.”
Jan Vetter, Island Park teacher, was hired in 1990.
“Jan has always been an advocate for both colleagues and students,” Hoffman said. “Educating children has been her life’s work. Her love for and dedication to what she refers to as ‘my babies’ is inspiring and limitless. Her work has positively impacted so many lives and will continue to do so because Jan cares deeply about others and she is unstoppable in her need to be of service to others.”
Robb Wick, Mercer Island High School art teacher, was hired in 2000. He previously taught in Great Falls, Montana and Anchorage, Alaska before coming to Mercer Island.
“Robb is known to his students as the guy who plays with clay all day,” Puckett said. “Over the years, Robb has taught many students ceramics. He sets high expectations for his students and they know when they have earned an ‘A’ it was with hard work, tenacity and determination.”