Four retiring educators stand with the West Springfield School Committee after receiving certificates of appreciation on May 26.
Photo credit: West Side Media
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Four retiring educators received applause and recognition from the West Springfield School Committee just a few weeks before their final days with the district, honoring their long-term commitment to the students and lasting impact on the district.
There are 10 educators retiring from the district with four present at the School Committee meeting on May 26. They were given a chance to speak before being granted certificates of appreciation.
Present at the meeting were West Springfield High School’s Howard Benard, West Springfield Middle School’s Rebecca Bryant and Wendi Greene and John Fausey Elementary School’s Cathy Johnson.
Not present but still recognized educators include Cheryl Gale from Tatham Elementary, Pamela Gauthier and Michelle Richardson from the middle school, Christina Serrano Carrasco and Stan Svec from the high school and LeeAnn Sullivan from Coburn Elementary.
Johnson is a third grade teacher and spoke first, thanking the School Committee for her “years of experience.” She added that School Committee member Colleen Marcus was her mentor and Mayor William Reichelt was one of her social studies students.
“I just want to thank you, that’s basically it,” Johnson said. “I’ve had a great experience, I love what I do. I will continue to sub for you so just call me if you need me.”
Bryant is a sixth grade teacher and said she was at a loss for words and that she has been in West Springfield for her entire career. She said she also had Reichelt as a student, joking that she’d “let you know anything you’d want to know” about him.
“I really enjoy what I do, but family comes first,” Bryant said. “I will always be here if you need me for anything, and a couple people on the School Committee already know that, so thank you.”
Benard is the high school’s engineering teacher and runs the robotics club. He said it has been an awesome 30 years and that he’s really enjoyed the time, before calling back to Johnson’s point and joking that he will not be volunteering to come back as a substitute.
“People ask me that and I say, ‘no I already have a job, and I love the job I have, if I want a job I’m gonna be doing this,’” Benard said “I’m looking forward to retirement but, I too, won’t be disengaging from the schools completely I’m sure … I plan to continue in some limited capacity in retirement. Thank you all for a wonderful career.”
Greene is a speech and language pathologist and thanked the committee for the opportunity to serve West Springfield students.
“I have been so overwhelmed by the students who stay at the door and open them every morning when I’m walking in,” Greene said. “They say ‘good morning’ to me, they ask me how I’m doing and I don’t even necessarily know their names so we have some great young people in this city and thank you for the opportunity for me to get to know them.”
Reichelt thanked each educator for their service to West Springfield, adding that they were “what make students grow into mayors.”
