Retirement is often something that adults look forward to. This year, teachers and staff everywhere are not ending their year as they planned. Retiring staff members aren’t able to say their goodbyes the way they wanted to.
“While retiring under the pall of a pandemic is not ideal, we all find ourselves in a position we could not have anticipated just a few short months ago,” Field School teacher Kari Wilson said. “In adversity, is the opportunity for growth.”
Leaving a job can be bittersweet for some, but it is much different when the last day working with colleagues or students is over a Zoom.
“I would have loved to say goodbye to the wonderful students and teachers at Field School. It was such a pleasure to be a part of this exciting new program the past two years,” Wilson said.
Social worker Roger Kooi is feeling the effect the pandemic has had on his plans for saying goodbye.
“It has made me a little sad to end my career this way. My wife and I will be moving to Colorado in June and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible to have closure with students, staff and the greater Northview community,” Kooi said.
Highlands Middle school teacher, Katherine Lewis, has worked at Northview for almost 30 years and is appreciative of everyone who has come into her life because of her job.
“I want to pay tribute to all of my colleagues, both past and present, for their support, friendship and modeling of what it is to serve in this important job,” Lewis said. “We laughed, grumbled, cried and rejoiced together. Thank you for walking along my life path. I am forever grateful.”
As many school staff members approach the next big step in their lives during such an abnormal time, they are reflecting on all the memories they have made.
“My most challenging and memorable class is the graduating class of 2020. They challenged me, and made me think outside the box. They are an incredible group of kids,” Highlands Middle School teacher Carrie Marchesotti said.
Although some teachers may be retiring from Northview, high school Spanish teacher Carl Marsh’s work isn’t done yet. He will miss his students immensely as he moves on to his next chapter in life, “Carl Marsh Handyman Services LLC.”
“[To my students,] thank you all for being absolutely incredible human beings. Keep learning Spanish, you will be amazed at how it will help you communicate with so many people from so many different cultures in the future,” Marsh said. “I have done it, I love it and my wish for you is that you could experience these amazing opportunities to connect with people that don’t know your language.”
The 2020 retirees are saying farewell to their lives at Northview in a unique way during an unprecedented time. But they will always be a part of the Northview community that they served.
“It has been my pleasure and a blessing to be a part of the Northview Community. I will always feel that I am a part of this community as the friendships and relationships that I have built will endure throughout the rest of my lifetime,” Kooi said. “Northview has been there for me through the trials and celebrations in my life and you can’t say that about every organization.”
Click through the slideshow below to learn a little about some of the 2020 retirees:
