Chippewa Valley Bids Farewell to 8 Veteran Teachers, Principals

When Chippewa Valley Schools' most recent group of retirees leave the district this school year, they will take with them the knowledge and experience gained through more than 200 years of teaching.

These retirees, recognized at Monday's school board meeting, incude Scott Burns, Wendy Ross, Patricia O’Connor, Nancy Spittal, Thomas Heethuis, Nancy Green, Sharon Miracola and Ernest Coil.

"These teachers are so dedicated to what they do and they have always been so dedicated," said Superintendent Ron Roberts. "These people have displayed amazing dedication to Chippewa Valley and also to their students and also to their own learning. These are great people and we will certainly miss them."

Thomas Heethuis – Dakota High School

As a teacher, student activities director and high school principal, Thomas Heethuis has devoted 31 of his 39 years in education to Chippewa Valley Schools

Heethuis was on staff at in the 1970s–when he remembers hunting pheasant in the surrounding farmlands–and would play an integral part in the establishment of three decades later.

The design of Dakota’s student activities center belongs to Heethuis and its success in the last seven years can be attributed to his leadership as principal, a post which drew him back to Chippewa Valley after spending eight years at Fraser High School.

“I felt that Dakota had so many strengths, it needed someone to take that ship and get all those arrows going in the right direction and knowing Tom as long as I have, he’s quite good at processes, he could right that ship,” said Ed Skiba, directory of secondary education, who encouraged Heethuis to accept the position of principal.

Skiba, who has worked with Heethuis for 30 years, remembers asking one of his top students in 1981 to identify the best teacher she had ever had. “Without any doubt, she said Tom Heethuis. The influence he has had on me and every student who has ever had him has been tremendous. He’s one of the finest people I’ve ever worked with."

“To say he is a great educator is an understatement. To say he is a great friend is a privilege," he added.

For Heethuis, it was only fitting that he finish his career in the district where it began.

“I have no regrets that I was able to come back home,” Heethuis said. “It has been a great ride.”

Patricia O'Connor – Dakota High School

Patricia O’Connor has watched hundreds of graduating seniors pass through her government classes over the past 33 years and this year, the senior class sponsor will join the Class of 2012 in its departure from Chippewa Valley Schools.

“I’ve always been impressed with Pat,” said Dakota Principal Tom Heethuis. “Having gone to high school in the 60s, Pat’s involvement with her students to get them civically involved has always been a highlight of Pat’s career. She doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk."

A nationally board certified teacher, O’Connor has considered it her responsibility to take students from having a “superficial understanding” of government and into the mindset of active citizens.

“I think Pat can leave Dakota knowing there’s a lot of very, very good people she has mentored who will keep the social studies department at Dakota alive and vibrant and a meaningful part in the lives of the kids,” Heethuis said.

For O’Connor, retirement is bittersweet.

“Anybody who has worked with me knows that I’m not leaving because I didn’t enjoy every second that I’ve had in this district,” she said. “When I tell you that I start my day laughing and then laugh all day long and then go home and tell my husband about all the fun I’ve had, that is absolutely the truth. I always tell people how lucky I am that I have taught here.”

So the real reason for her retirement?

“Most of the administrators in the building I’ve known so long, I can’t help but call them ‘sweetie’ when I see them, and that’s probably inappropriate.”

Nancy Spittal – Dakota High School

Nancy Spittal leaves the district after 27 years in special education, most recently at .

“She brought a certain amount of calm to that special education department,” said Dakota Principal Tom Heethuis. “She always has the kid’s benefit at heart. She lets the kids grow and become all they can be. She was a delight to have in that department and her legacy lives on.”

Heethuis added his belief that the Spittal has made Dakota “a better place” just with her presence. 

For Spittal, her years in the district have been some of the best in her life.

“I always tell people, other teachers, that I’ve never wanted for anything in this school district. Everyone has always been very supportive of special education. Everyone has been wonderful.”

Scott Burns - Huron Elementary School

After working in Chippewa Valley Schools for 36 years as a teacher and principal, Scott Burns will retire this year leaving behind a record as the district’s longest-serving elementary school principal and the unofficial title of “District Historian.”

“Our current superintendent served as a teacher at Huron (Elementary) during Scott’s tenure as principal and he’s been a mentor to many of us,” said Sue Grenier, director of elementary education. “With all his experience, it’s not hard to understand why we sometimes refer to him as the ‘District Historian.’”

Burns started his career in Chippewa Valley in 1976 when he was hired as a physical education teacher at Huron Elementary School. Transitioning to the role of administrator, he would serve as principal of and Huron elementary schools for the next 29 years.

“Through it all, Scott’s always maintained a great sense of humor and his wit always gave us a laugh even when something was a challenging topic,” Grenier said. “He has great compassion for kids and this is especially evident as for years he’s welcomed our cognitively impaired students at Huron and he’s been an advocate for their integration with general education students.”

Superintendent Rob Roberts said he would always remember Burns’ “calm demeanor,” no matter the situation, and the fact that after 30 some years, his hair “still looks the same.”

Burns summed up his feelings this way:

“I would like to thank the board of education and, how many did you say, six superintendents? I’d like to thank most of them … I’m only kidding. I really appreciate the support I’ve had from the boards of education over the years, the central office administration … Chippewa Valley has been a great place to work.

“We’ve had our ups and downs, rough times, but ultimately this is a district anybody would be proud to be a part of, proud to work for. In all the years I’ve been here at Chippewa Valley, I have just enjoyed working with the people more than anything else.”

Wendy Ross – Wyandot Middle School

From “hustle your bustle” to “oh crum dum,” Wendy Ross’ Wendyisms will be heard in the hallways of Wyandot Middle School long after the 39-year veteran of the Chippewa Valley school district retires this year.

Ross was there when Wyandot first opened its doors and has since become known to co-workers as a “pillar of wisdom” and “guru in education.”

Over the past 39 years she has mastered the art of teaching, technology and microwave popcorn and though “Wendy leaves behind size 6 feet, they are very, very large shoes to fill,” said Wyandot Principal Darleen Sims. 

Colleagues Donna Johns and Cheryl Focht praised Ross’ gentleness, patience and kindness with her students, adding that they would both miss her daily presence in the halls.

“In the beginning, I think I was just a colleague, then we developed a really good working relationship to assist students and their families,” Focht said. “I often spoke to my mom about Wendy’s bubbly personality and my mom commented, ‘She sounds like she would be a great friend.’ As usual, mom’s are generally right as Wendy and I have developed a close friendship, or as the kids say, we’re BFFs.”

As both a friend and partner teacher, Johns said she would most miss Ross’ sticky notes sealed with a kiss.

“Every note she send ended with an xoxo or an actual kiss stained with her lipstick,” Johns said. “The halls of Wyandot will forever hold dear the many memories of Ms. Ross. I will truly miss the influence Wendy has had on me and I will hold dear the years we shared at Wyandot, xoxo.”

Overwhelmed by her colleagues’ words, Ross made her thanks and farewells short, sweet, and distinctly Wendy.

“Oh dear, heavens to Betsy, I didn’t realize I was going to be asked to come up, but what I would like to say is this–I love my job and I love my job because of the kids. I have loved being a part of the district.”

Nancy Green, 31 years, Sharon Miracola, 15 years, and Ernest Coil, 37 years, were not in attendance at Monday's meeting.