For 12 years, high school administrative assistant to the principal Lisa Charland has woken up at 4:45 every morning to go to work. Despite her commitment, she’s ready for a change in pace and to travel the world with her husband, Michael.
Charland’s last day at the high school is June 30.
“It’s been a great place for me to end my working life. I’m looking forward to other things, but I’ll definitely miss the energy and the people that create it,” Charland said.
After retirement, Charland and her husband plan to start their journey in Tasmania in September, then going to Australia, and finishing the journey in New Zealand.
Still, Charland will miss everything that the Northview community brings. She has made some memorable lifelong friends, one being Principal Mark Thomas.
“I’m going to miss the fact that [Charland is] so calm in her demeanor,” Thomas said. “She never gets high, she never gets low.”
Another good friend and colleague is teacher Shelli Tabor. They work together organizing the school schedule throughout the academic year.
“[Charland is] super busy [and] never stressed,” Tabor said. “She is never too busy to solve the problem, she doesn’t get flustered, she doesn’t get upset when there’s six different things coming at her.”
Charland feels good knowing she has helped run the high school. Prior to this job, she had no idea of what was to come to run a school.
“It takes a village to run a high school,” Charland said.
One of Charland’s greatest accomplishments is how much her job has grown. In addition to being Thomas’ assistant, she expanded the position.
I became [Assistant Principal] Mr. [Brent] Dickerson’s secretary, support staff as well,” Charland said. “Taking on more responsibility has really grown this whole job into something that is so much more than just being a secretary. I’m really really proud of that, and I hope I did an excellent job and be remembered for that when I leave.”
