Teachers and administrators honored at dinner

During the 44th annual Plano Independent School District’s service awards and retirement dinner, hundreds of teachers and administrators gathered to honor their co-workers.

Elizabeth Williamson, an employee with student and family services, was honored for her 20 years of service.

“What keeps me coming back to work for the Plano ISD is the people and my work,” Williamson said. “Serving the children of Plano is the best part of my job.”

More than 100 educators were saluted with their 15-year service pin and Williamson joined more than 80 Plano ISD employees for their 20-year service salute. Shepard Elementary School teacher, Miki Solomon, said he thinks Plano is a “really good place to work.” Solomon joined about 50 other educators to receive his salute for 25 years of service with the district.

“They [the administration] really try to buffer real world issues from the teachers, they protect us,” Solomon said. “Throughout my career, I have gained an extended family of students.”

Solomon has taught fifth grade math at Shephard for almost 20 of his 25 years with the district. He said he has attended his student’s high school graduations and weddings.

More than 20 educators, including Sarah Thorn from Jackson Elementary, were honored for their 30 years of service with the district. Thorn, who is a librarian, said the kids and her co-workers keep her firmly planted in the Plano ISD.

“I love finding books that the kids will enjoy,” Thorn said. “It’s hard to think of one cute story that’s happened to me because in elementary schools, everyday is different.”

One of the smallest groups of honorees for service was the six educators honored for 35 years of service. Honorees included Becky Bailey from Wyatt Elementary, Susan Bennett from Shepard Elementary, Maria Galvan, multilingual, Nell Lesperance, itinerant special education, Elizabeth Starnes, FANS (Food and Nutritional Services) and Janet Stickland from library services.

“I love my job,” Strickland said. “I love the people I work with and I love working with the other schools’ libraries. This has always been a great district to work for.”

Following the service awards, Jeff Bailey, deputy superintendent, recognized Plano ISD retirees. The district compiled video responses by Plano ISD students on what they thought retirement was. One student said “when you’re 65 the government pays you, then you pay them back.” Another student said retirees should “just relax, play cards and eat raisin bran,” and one student suggested the retirees “take a couple naps.”

Bailey honored the 10 departing educators who had less than 30 years of service in education. Then he called for the retirees with 30 or more years of service in education. Plano East Senior High School teachers Kay Fuhrman and Rick Saigling and Barbara Lynn Henderson Spicer from Saigling Elementary School were all honored for their service.

The final group of honorees, who had 40 or more years of service in education, included Charlotte Estep from Haggard Middle School and Tanis Roelofs from Wilson Middle School.

“What I’ll miss most is the staff and team I work with,” Roelofs said.

The service awards and retirement reception dinner was held at Parker’s Southfork Ranch.

Contact Heather Smith at HSmith@acnpapers.com.

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