School's Out For ... Ever!

Supt. of Schools James Agostine remembers when he first started out as a teacher years ago and the State Retirement Board notified him how much he had to pay into retirement ... and when he could retire.

"It seemed like an eternity to get there, but time marches on," Agostine said during Monday night's Board of Education meeting.

On that night, the district and the school board held a ceremony recognizing 17 teachers, who combined to put in hundreds of years worth of time teaching in front of a classroom, grading papers, staying after school to give students extra help and training to keep up with their certifications.

"I just can't begin to tell all of you how jealous I am for all of you this evening," Agostine joked.

Rather than financial wealth, Agostine told the teachers success is measured by the lives and souls you touch over the years, adding that all of them have done just that.

"When you're in the grocery store and a former student comes up to you and says, 'Thank you,' that's the true gift," he said. "I am awed by the contribution you have made and the work you have done with the kids. I see it every day ... and I thank you with all my heart."

Board of Education Vice Chairwoman Donna Lane told the retiring teachers, "We're eternally grateful for all you've done for our children, preparing them for college and preparing them for the world. Best wishes."

Board of Education member Mark Antinozzi, a retired teacher himself, encouraged the outgoing teachers to get involved in their communities by serving on government boards and volunteering for organizations.

The principals from every school called their teachers up to the front of the room inside the Masuk Media Center, said a few words about each one, and Agostine and Lane gave them gifts as the audience — which included family members and colleagues — applauded the teachers for their contributions.

Learn more about these teachers through videos with this story, which are broken down into presentations with teachers' names listed in the captions.

Teachers and school psychologists retiring in 2013 are:

1. Anthony J. Cianciolo, Masuk, 1975-2013
2. Nanette deLucia, Monroe Elementary, 2003-2013
3. Ethel R. Elson, Masuk, 1978-2013
4. Barbara C. Florin, Fawn Hollow Elementary, 1987-2013
5. Alice Gratchian, Jockey Hollow Middle, 1981-2013
6. Maggie Johnston, Jockey Hollow, 1972-2013
7. Susan Kiraly, Monroe El., 1993-2013
8. Gail Drake Lukasik, Fawn Hollow, 1976-2013
9. Hope Maloney, Masuk, 1986-2013
10. Michael Mastronardi, Jockey Hollow, 1978-2013
11. Mary Ellen Pelley, Fawn Hollow, 1994-2013
12. Kathleen Robinson, Stepney Elementary, 1987-2013
13. Charles Scalesse, Jockey Hollow, 1979-2013
14. Moira Petty Schiffer, Jockey Hollow, 1979-2013
15. Jerry Stevens, Jockey Hollow, 1979-2013
16. Leslie Wilker-Manfredonia, Stepney, 1978-2013
17. Gail E. Young, district wide, 1996-2013