Educators are some of the most devoted and dedicated people in existence! I have heard it said that teachers have one of the easiest jobs there is; they get to play with kids all day, only work nine months of the year, and go home at 3:00pm every day. I have to laugh (a lot) when I hear such chatter because I know that being a teacher and an administrator of education is demanding and grueling work. Although having ten weeks off during the sweltering summer months is very appealing, the intensive labor spent before each school day begins, the countless hours needed long after the release bell has sounded, and the late nights and incalculable number of weekends required for designing and preparing lessons, grading assignments, generating assessments, making props and power points, collaborating in meetings, reading the latest brain-based science, creating a multitude of different ways to present the same material, completing paperwork, modifying class work for students with differing learning needs, and communicating with parents and colleagues, oh-yeah, and that simple task of providing instruction to children who may or may not have any interest in what you are teaching at all . . . kind of makes up for it. Teaching is truly one of the most rewarding professions in our society. Each and every day, an educator is afforded a unique gift not offered to many others, the opportunity to touch a young person’s mind. It is a genuine blessing to have the ability to spark enthusiasm about a topic and ignite a heart to pursue an interest it never knew existed. It is difficult to do this well, but there are many who are steadfast and master the skill of creating a thirst for knowledge.

On May 8, 2009 Laramie County School District Number One employees who are retiring during or concluding this 2008-2009 school year were honored for their years of service during a reception at Storey Gym. Retirees were presented with special plaques and clocks in thanks for their dedication. Around Cheyenne Magazine would also like to thank and recognize those remarkable individuals for their hard work and commitment to educating our youngsters and our community. The following thirty-eight teachers and principals have provided a combined total of 945 years experience and devotion to Cheyenne’s youth through Laramie County School District Number One and for that, we salute you! (Information and photographs obtained from LCSD1.)

Robert E. Bowen ~ 7 Years (Principal) Bob came to the District in August of 2002 as the Principal of Cole Elementary where he remained dedicated to the students and staff there for the next six years until his decision to retire.

Janet E. Materi ~ 7 Years (Principal) Janet was hired in July 2002 as Principal of Arp Elementary where she served students and staff with commitment and dedication for seven years until her retirement this year.

William A. Little, Jr. ~ 11 Years Bill Little began teaching art at East High in August 1992. He taught there for eight years until he left the District. Bill returned to East High in 2006 as an art teacher for the past three years until his decision to retire this year.

Gary L. Datus ~ 13 Years (Principal) Gary was hired with the District as an Associate Principal at Johnson Junior High in August 1996. He remained at Johnson for four years until 2000 when he was named as the Principal of Triumph High and C.B.O.E. Gary served as the Principal of Triumph for the past nine years.

Constance C. Davis ~ 13 Years Connie started teaching Industrial Technology in August 1996 at Johnson Junior High. In 1997 she began teaching both Industrial Technology and computer science classes. During her last two years at Johnson she taught computer science until retirement.

Kathryn E. Miedziak ~ 13 Years Kathy began as a mathematics teacher for Carey Junior High in August 1996. She taught math at Carey during her entire thirteen years with the District.

Jeffry D. Felton ~ 15 Years (Principal) Jeff commenced with LCSD1 as principal of High School III (the current Triumph High School) in August 1994. He remained there for three years until moving to East High as an assistant principal and activities director. The following school year, Jeff was named the principal of Cole and Gilchrist Elementary Schools where he served for four years until 2002 when he was named principal of Rossman and Gilchrist Elementary Schools. In 2006, he became the principal of all three rural schools – Clawson, Gilchrist and Willadsen – where he remained until his retirement this year.

Linda L. Panopoulos ~ 15 Years Linda first came to the District in August 1981, teaching mathematics at Johnson Junior High. She taught math for two years until resigning in July of 1983, returning to the District in August of 1985 to teach French at Johnson. She left the District a second time and returned in January 1995, to teach mathematics for the remainder of the school year. In 1996 Linda taught both math and French at East High School for the next three years. During her last eight years at East, she taught only math until her decision to retire this year.

Kathleen M. Janssen ~ 16 Years Kathleen started her career with Laramie County School District Number One in August 1993 as a sixth grade teacher at Baggs Elementary. She taught sixth grade for two years until moving to third grade at Baggs. She remained teaching third grade for the next fourteen years.

Krista K. Wayman ~ 18 Years Krista began teaching fifth grade at Alta Vista Elementary in August 1991. The next year she was a first grade teacher at Bain Elementary. In 1993, she became the sixth grade teacher at Bain and taught both fifth and sixth grades at Bain for the next sixteen years until her retirement this year.

Sheryl K. Van Pelt ~ 21 Years Sheryl first came to the District in 1969 as an English teacher at Johnson Junior High. She taught at Johnson for four years until she resigned in June 1974. Sheryl returned to the District in November of 1992 as a vocational educational assistant at Central High. In August 1993, Sheryl was hired as an English teacher at Central High and C.B.O.E. for one year. In 1994, she served as part-time English teacher at C.B.O.E. Sheryl taught English for C.B.O.E. for fourteen years until C.B.O.E. transferred to the new Triumph High School in January and until her retirement this year.

Cherolynn N. Ohde ~ 23 Years Cherol was hired as a special education, educational assistant in April 1986, working at Johnson Junior High. She remained at Johnson in this capacity for the next three years until she became a long-term substitute teacher at Johnson in November 1988. In August 1989, Cherol became a special education teacher at Johnson working in with the E.D. classroom. She taught 14 years at Johnson until transferring to Pioneer Park working in the TLC classroom. Cherol remained at Pioneer Park for the last six years of her career.

Jo Ellen Williams ~ 23 Years Jo Ellen came to LCSD1 in September 1986 as an educational assistant at Fairview Elementary. She remained there for five years until she was hired as a teacher in August 1991, teaching fifth grade at Fairview. The following year Jo transferred to Lebhart to teach kindergarten and has remained as the kindergarten teacher at Lebhart Elementary for the past seventeen years.

Jennifer R. Wolfe ~ 23 Years Jennifer was hired in September 1985 as a part-time music teacher at Johnson Junior High. She resigned in June of 1986 and returned to the District in 1987 as a half-time music teacher at Davis Elementary. She remained part-time at Davis for seven years. In 1994, she was assigned to Fairview and Rossman Elementary Schools to teach music. Jennifer remained in this assignment for four years and was then assigned to Cole and Dildine Elementary Schools for the next four years. During her last seven years, she taught music for both Hobbs and Dildine Elementary Schools.

Linda J. Golden ~ 24 Years Linda began with the District in January 1983 as an instructional aide at Hebard Elementary. In September 1984 she was hired as a fourth grade teacher at Jessup Elementary where she taught for four years until transferring to Afflerbach Elementary in 1987 to teach fourth grade. For the next 20 years Linda remained at Afflerbach teaching fourth, and ended her career teaching fifth grade this year.

Jane A. Kinder ~ 24 Years Jane first came to the District in August 1981 as a cluster art teacher for Goins Elementary. She taught two years and then resigned, returning in August of 1987 as a cluster art teacher for Rossman and Baggs Elementary Schools for one year. The following year Jane was moved to Goins Elementary where she taught for five years. In 1993 she was transferred to Alta Vista and Miller and remained teaching art for the next nine years. In 2002 she moved to Jessup and Clawson Elementary Schools teaching art for her last seven years with the District.

Belinda M. Moench ~ 25 Years Belinda’s first job with the District was a general aide at Anderson Elementary, which began in September of 1982. She worked until May 1987 when she resigned this position. She returned to LCSD1 in August 1988 as a sixth grade teacher at Anderson. The following year Belinda transferred to Arp Elementary to teach sixth grade for the next eight years. In 1997 she moved to the fourth grade and remained teaching fourth grade for the last 12 years.

Sandra H. Gothard ~ 25 Years Sandy was hired with Laramie County School District Number One in September 1984 to teach mathematics at Carey Junior High. During her 25 years, Sandy also taught a few classes at High School III, the current Triumph High. However the majority of her career was spent at Carey.

Terri L. Stephan ~ 25 Years Terri taught the hearing impaired at Eastridge Elementary in August 1983. The following year, this program was moved to Anderson Elementary. Terri stayed in this position for four years until transferring to teach third grade Trailblazers at Pioneer Park. She resigned in June of 1988 and returned to the District in August 1989 as a fifth grade teacher at Anderson Elementary. In 1990, Terri became the sixth-grade teacher at Anderson where she remained for the next seven years. Her next assignment came in 1997 when she transferred to Davis Elementary to teach sixth grade. In 2002 she served as teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing. Then in 2003, Terri transferred to Jessup to teach sixth grade. In 2006 she was named intermediate language arts Instructional Facilitator for the Buffalo Ridge cluster, which includes the elementary schools of Davis, Freedom, Jessup and Buffalo Ridge. She has remained facilitator for her final three years with the District.

Shirley K. Hitchcock ~ 26 Years Shirley was first hired as a special education aide at Arp Elementary in August 1982. She remained an aide for two years until she was hired as a secretary for the curriculum center for two years. In August 1987 she was hired as a kindergarten teacher at Corlett and Rossman Elementary Schools. The next contract year Shirley was hired as a fourth grade teacher at Rossman. She taught fourth grade for thirteen years and then became the librarian for Johnson Junior High in 2001 where she remained for eight years.

Judy K. Warfel ~ 26 Years Judy started her career with the District in August 1983 as a part-time special education teacher at Henderson Elementary. She taught at Henderson for one year until being hired at Johnson Junior High in their special education department. She remained at Johnson for 25 years, serving as special education department chair at the time of her retirement in January of 2009.

Bennett P. Grant ~ 27 Years Bennett came to the District in August 1976 as a special education teacher for Central High. He worked for two years and then resigned, returning in September 1984 to work again for Central as a special education teacher. He stayed at Central for 18 years before transferring to the Special Services Department at the Administration Building to work as a Transitional Consultant for his last seven years with the District.

Susan C. Parkins ~ 27 Years Susan started as a secretary in the junior office of East High in November 1983. She was in this position for four years until becoming the bookkeeper at East High in July 1987, where she worked for ten years. In August 1996, she became an English teacher at Johnson Junior High where she remained for her last thirteen years with the District.

Marilyn K. Thompson ~ 28 Years Marilyn began her career with the District in 1970 as an English teacher at McCormick Junior High. She worked at McCormick for six years before resigning in 1976. Kathy returned to LCSD1 in August 1987 as the Drug and Alcohol Coordinator for the next eight years. In 1995 she was named Assistant Principal at Johnson Junior High and remained in that capacity for the next five years. In 2000 Kathy became an English teacher for Carey Junior High where she has spent her last nine years.

Barbara J. Beeman ~ 30 Years Barbara first worked for the District as a fifth grade teacher at Eastridge Elementary School in February 1972, teaching both fourth and fifth grades before she resigned in 1974. She returned to teach fourth grade at Churchill Elementary until going on maternity leave in December of 1977. Barbara once again returned to the District in 1985 teaching first and second grades at Hebard Elementary for the next eleven years. In 1999 she transferred to Pioneer Park working as a first grade and Title One teacher for the next 13 years until her decision to retire this year.

Wayne F. Hammitt ~ 30 Years Wayne came to the District in August 1979 as a cluster physical education teacher at Fairview and Lebhart Elementary Schools. He remained at those schools for the next ten years until he was transferred to Baggs Elementary to teach P.E. He taught physical education for his remaining 20 years serving various schools such as Rossman, Deming and Pioneer Park until his retirement this year.

Michael H. O’Toole ~ 30 Years Michael was hired with Laramie County School District Number One in August 1979 to teach third grade at Arp Elementary. Mike remained at Arp for his entire career of thirty years where he taught not only third but fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Michael taught sixth grade for the last eleven years at Arp.

Gloria J. Edwards ~ 31 Years Gloria started as a social studies teacher at Central High in August 1978. She remained at Central her entire 31 years with District One until her retirement this year.

Ellen M. Kub ~ 31 Years Ellen was hired as a home economics teacher at Carey Junior High in August 1978. She remained at Carey her entire career teaching and serving children at Carey for 31 years.

Timothy J. Bolin ~ 32 Years Tim began his career as a mathematics teacher working for the Teacher Core in July of 1977 through May of 1979 at Johnson Junior High. During the 1979 school year, he was hired at McCormick to teach mathematics. Tim spent the remaining thirty years at McCormick Junior High as a math teacher until his decision to retire after teaching summer school this year.

Sherri L. Smith ~ 32 Years Sherri came to Laramie County School District Number One in 1977 as a sixth grade teacher at Arp Elementary. She taught sixth grade for two years and then moved to the fifth grade. The following year she moved to the fourth grade at Arp and has remained teaching fourth grade at Arp for her last 29 years.

Evelyn V. Abbott ~ 34 Years (Principal) Evelyn first worked for the District as a Clerk at the Administration Building during the 1967-1968 school year. She left the District to return to school and was later hired as an English teacher at Carey Junior High in August 1976. She remained as an English teacher until 1990 when she was appointed Assistant Principal of Carey. In 1993 Evelyn was promoted to Associate Principal at Carey where she remained until being named Principal in August of 2001. Her entire 34 year career has been with Carey Junior High School.

Jacquelyn M. Holt ~ 34 Years Jackie was first hired with the District in September 1975 working as a Title One aide at Cole Elementary. In December 1975 she was offered a third grade teaching position at Jessup Elementary. The following year she worked for Head Start and taught at Cole Elementary. In 1977 Jackie moved to third grade at Goins Elementary and the following year, third grade at Arp Elementary. She remained at Arp for nine years teaching second, third and kindergarten until transferring to Pioneer Park Elementary to teach second grade Trailblazers. Jackie remained at Pioneer Park for nine years before transferring to Hobbs Elementary to teach third grade in 1999. She taught third and one year of fourth during her ten years at Hobbs until her decision to retire this year.

Tim E. Denisson ~ 35 Years Tim began as a cluster physical education teacher with Laramie County School District Number One in 1974, teaching at Henderson Elementary for ten years. In August 1984 Tim moved to Anderson Elementary when the school opened to teach physical education. He has remained at Anderson for 25 years until his retirement this year.

Janet C. Lambert ~ 36 Years Jan started her career with the District in 1973 as a sixth grade teacher at Bain Elementary. She taught fourth grade the following year at Bain and then transferred to Buffalo Ridge Elementary to teach third grade, where she remained for 21 years. In 1996 Janet moved to fifth grade and taught an additional three years until transferring to Anderson Elementary to teach fifth at the opening of the school. She remained at Anderson until retiring this year.

Mary T. Bilstad ~ 38 Years Mary began her career in 1971 as a second grade teacher at Hebard Elementary. She also taught kindergarten and was a Title One teacher at Hebard for thirteen years until transferring to Eastridge Elementary in 1984. At Eastridge, Mary taught both kindergarten and first grade for four years. In 1988, she moved to Baggs Elementary where she also taught first grade and was a Title One teacher for the next 12 years. In 2000, she transferred to Alta Vista to teach first grade and finished her career at Alta Vista as a Title One teacher.

Sara “Toddy” Campbell ~ 38 Years Toddy was hired in 1971 to teach fourth grade at Fairview Elementary. She taught fourth and one year of fifth grade at Fairview for 27 years. In August 1998 she moved to Lebhart Elementary and became the second grade teacher for the school, where she remained for the next eleven years until her retirement this year.

Janet P. Denisson ~ 39 Years Pat was hired with Laramie County School District One in August 1970 to teach second grade at Jessup Elementary. She taught second grade for 28 years until moving to third grade at Jessup in 1998. Janet continued teaching third grade for the next eleven years until her decision to retire at the end of this year.

Retirees in Laramie County School District Number Two

Laramie County School District Number Two has three employees retiring this year. Thank you for your years of service providing quality education for our community’s youth.

Jana Linn ~ 33 Years, Instructional Facilitator
Mary McCurry ~ 19 Years, Special Education Teacher
Christina Smith ~ 20 Years, Central Office Support Staff