They have worked here for around three decades: Challice Dixon, Brian Kammers, and Matt Coty. Each of them said their goodbyes to Northview in June of 2020.
Recently retired, Challice Dixon taught a variety of subjects over the course of her 34 years at Northview. Starting in 1986, Dixon began teaching Typing and Secretarial Skills, but changed subjects to Word Processing, Internet Communications, and Computer Programming once computers became more accessible.
Within the last 15 years she has taught Accounting, Financial Literacy, and Graphic Design.
Once Dixon’s kids graduated from college in 2020, she was planning to retire the same year. Now she enjoys doing whatever she wants with her family.
“I spent the past two and a half months of winter in Florida. I am now a ‘snowbird’,” Dixon said.
Though she was able to go away for the winter, most of her big plans have been delayed due to the worldwide pandemic. But, she looks back on teaching with fond memories.
Dixon loved forming relationships with students outside of the classroom as well as with her colleagues. She exceptionally misses her B lunch buddies.
“I loved teaching and look back at my 34 years at Northview High School with fond memories and pride in my work,” Dixon said.
Science teacher Brian Kammers retired from teaching after 32 years. The first 17 of those years have been at Northview’s East Campus Alternative High School (now Northview Next), while also teaching Adult and Community Ed. The last 15 years were at the high school.
Over his years here he taught Honors, Advanced Placement, and regular Chemistry. He also taught Biology and Life Science.
Throughout his years here he has both taught and learned from his students.
Due to Kammers losing his wife in 2018 he reconsidered his future.
“I give the students and staff of Northview High School a lot of credit for being so gracious, generous and understanding during that time,” Kammers said.
The district offered a retirement incentive for 2020 and he took advantage of the opportunity.
He now enjoys doing a variety of things, including, hunting, fishing, and being outdoors.
His only regret is he didn’t have the opportunity to say his goodbyes to students and colleagues before retirement due to the school shutting down from COVID-19.
“Never stop learning. Be prepared for change because it is always around the corner,” Kammers said. “And always, enjoy every sandwich.”
Recent retiree, Matt Coty, taught mathematics for 30 years at Northview. When he first started teaching in 1990 he began at Northview Next as a math teacher.
He then transferred over to Crossroads Middle School for the next 7 years, where he taught math and physical education.
After his journey there he transferred to the high school to continue teaching the same courses. But, since 2014 he has only taught Math classes.
In June of 2020 he decided it was time to retire and take a gap year.
Throughout this past year he has had the time to teach a college course at Aquinas and catch up with tasks around the house.
Coty even acquired a new woodworking skill and has been able to help friends and family with projects of their own.
Although Coty is serious by nature, he has learned a job can always be fun.
“I learned that there is almost always room for sarcasm,” Coty said. “I was also told that some people don’t understand sarcasm. I still find that hard to believe!”
Although the goodbyes were bittersweet, all of them had pleasure teaching at Northview while meeting great students.
“[The students] have the ability to make the world a better place and I believe they will go out and do that,” Coty said.
