(BLOOMINGTON) – On May 2, the Monroe County Community School Corporation had the opportunity to honor this year’s retirees and stars. The Bloomington High School North Jazz Ensemble provided the music during dinner before thirty-seven retirees and forty ‘Stars’ were recognized.
Tami Silverman
Guest speaker from for the evening was 1989 Bloomington High School South alumni Tami Silverman. She is currently the president and chief executive officer at the Indiana Youth Institute in Indianapolis. Tami’s parents, Jim and Fran, were both MCCSC educator’s and in attendance.
Tami stated, “Children make up 25 percent of our population but make up 100 percent of our future!”
Fairview Show Choir led by Ly and Brennan Wilder performed in front of a record audience and were given a standing ovation.
The Retirees
Timothy Abts graduated from the University of Evansville with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He earned his Master of Science in education from Indiana Wesleyan University. Prior to teaching, he was a mechanical engineer at NWSC Crane for eight years. In 1995, he accepted a teaching position with the Monroe County Community School Corporation. In his 24-year career with MCCSC, he has taught drafting and engineering design at Hoosier Hills Career Center and The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship.
Diane Antelept graduated in 1976 from Mundelein College with a Bachelor of Arts in music and education. In 2002, she earned her Master of Science in curriculum and instruction from Olivet Nazarene University. She began her teaching career at Academy of Our Lady High School and taught at North Shore School, both in Chicago, Illinois. In 1997, she accepted a position with MCCSC teaching music at Fairview Elementary School. In her 22 years with MCCSC, she has taught music at Fairview, Binford, Rogers, Grandview, and Lakeview elementary schools. She has been teaching at Lakeview Elementary School for the past nine years. She plans to spend retirement traveling, teaching private lessons, enjoying her grandkids and entertaining others with her performances.
Karen Bastin has served the Monroe County Community School Corporation for 23 years as a bus monitor and playground supervisor. Before coming to MCCSC, she worked for 20 years in local factories, including RCA, Sarkes Tarzian, ATR Coil Company, Schlegel, and ST-Semicon. She has served many of the schools in MCCSC, and for the past five years, she has been a bus monitor for Clear Creek Elementary. She is looking forward to watching and feeding birds, going on family outings and camping, and spending time with her 20 grandchildren.
Anne Burke graduated in 1977 from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in biology. In 1984, she earned a Master of Science in computer science from Indiana University. Ms. Burke began teaching in 1990 at Harmony High School, here, in Bloomington, Indiana. The following year, she accepted a position teaching science at both Batchelor Middle School and Bloomington High School South. Over the course of her 26-year career with MCCSC, she has taught students at Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, Tri-North Middle School, and The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship.
Martha J. Chamberlain earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi. She began her teaching career in South Delta School District in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, where she taught first grade for 15 years. After moving to Bloomington, she accepted a position with MCCSC, teaching seventh-grade social studies at Batchelor Middle School. The following year, she became the Title I teacher at Fairview Elementary School, where she has taught for the past 21 years. She is currently pursuing her National Board Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In retirement, she plans to visit Disney World with her grandchildren, travel with family and friends, spend quality time with her husband, enjoys quiet moments in the morning with a good book and a cup of coffee, and serve the community. She is looking forward to learning how to appreciate this journey of life.
Kathy Chitwood has served the Monroe County Community School Corporation for 22 years, at Bloomington High School South and Batchelor Middle School. For four of those years, she was a cook, and for 18 years she was a cafeteria manager. She is looking forward to spending time with her family and traveling.
William Clendening graduated from Unionville High School in 1965. He served in the United States Army for two years and spent 18 months in Schweinfurt Germany with the 100th Transportation Company. He achieved the rank of sergeant E5. He worked for RCA for 32 years, and in 2001, he accepted a position at MCCSC as a custodian at Bloomington High School South. In retirement, he is looking forward to working around the home and attending his grandchildren’s baseball games, as well as sporting, fishing, and racing events.
John Corbin has served the Monroe County Community School Corporation as a custodian at Grandview Elementary School for 27 years. Mr. Corbin graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1978. The naval courses he took there enabled him to become an Aviation Structural Mechanic. For 14 years, he served in the United States Navy and Indiana State National Guard. In the Navy, he served aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. With the National Guard, he trained and became a nuclear biological and chemical warfare specialist and instructor. For six years, he owned J.R.’s Video. Mr. Corbin has focused on taking care of his family and farm, serving his country and his best efforts to MCCSC; he has not yet thought about retirement and views the future like an open book.
Marcia Davis graduated from the University of Michigan in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in language arts. In 1997, she earned a Master of Science in language education from Indiana University. Ms. Davis began her teaching career at St. Matthew’s Episcopal School in San Mateo, California as a pre-school teacher and middle school drama teacher. She gained professional experience teaching language arts and science at Roosevelt Public School in Roosevelt, New Jersey, language arts, drama and medieval studies at St Thomas the Apostle School a part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. In 1997, she accepted a position with MCCSC as a collaborative Title I aide, serving six elementary schools. The following year she became the Title I teacher at Highland Park Elementary School. In 1999, she accepted a position as a language arts teacher at Batchelor Middle School, where she has continued to work for the past 20 years. Ms. Davis has also worked as a guest lecturer for Indiana University and was a member and president of the Bloomington Area Council of the International Reading Association. She has always been a self-employed writer. In retirement, she needs to write the Great American Novel.
Nedra Demshar has served the Monroe County Community School Corporation as a cook for 14 years. In that time, she has served the students at Bloomington High School South, Bloomington High School North, and Templeton Elementary School. She plans to spend her retirement spending time with family, traveling and joining a gym.
Ruth Doyle has served the Monroe County Community School Corporation for 30 years, as a cook at Rogers Elementary School and the kitchen manager at Marlin Elementary School. In 2006, she earned her associate degree in office administration with a software specialty from Ivy Tech Community college. In retirement, she plans to take care of her elderly parents and tend to her family farm.
Robert J. Dubinski graduated in 1978 from Kean University in Union, New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts in music education. In 1983, he earned a Master of Arts in music education from Jersey City State University. Mr. Dubinski began his teaching career with Lodi Public School Corporation in Lodi, New Jersey, where he was the middle and high school band director for seven years. In, 1986, he accepted a position with MCCSC as the band director at Bloomington High School South, where he has been the director for the past 33 years. In his career, he was a percussionist with the Samford Symphony Orchestra and Paul Price Percussion Ensemble, as well as a studio teacher, instructor and arranger for several years. His plans for retirement include music adjudicating and consulting, traveling, and helping with wife Roseanna with her Parent Life Ministry.
Julie Dukes graduated in 1984 from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She began her teaching career that same year as a first-grade teacher at Cloverdale Elementary. In 1989, she earned her Master’s in the Art of Teaching from DePauw University. The following year she accepted a position with MCCSC as a sixth-grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary School, where she taught for one year. In 1991, she began teaching at Unionville Elementary School, where she has taught either first or second grade for the past 28 years. Her retirement plans are not yet definite, but she plans to spend time where the sun is shining, doing what she wants to when she wants to.
Sandra K. Dunn graduated in 1987 from Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in physical education. In 1998, she earned a master’s degree in applied health science from Indiana University. She has served MCCSC as a physical education teacher for 30 years, 29 at Grandview Elementary School. Prior to teaching at Grandview Elementary School, she taught at Arlington, Fairview, Lakeview, and Marlin elementary schools. In her retirement, she will enjoy her grandchildren, travel, exercise more and do anything else that sounds like fun.
Sherrie K. Everton is a graduate of Bloomington High School North and attended Indiana University. In 2000, she accepted a position with Monroe County Community School Corporation as a playground and cafeteria supervisor. The following year, she became a paraeducator for MCCSC. She has served Binford, Grandview, and Highland Park elementary schools, as well as Jackson Creek and Tri-North middle schools. She is looking forward to enjoying retirement.
Margaret “Peg” Farrell graduated in 1979 from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in physical and health Education. In 2005, she completed a teacher’s licensure program in elementary education through St. Mary’s of the Woods. She began her career with MCCSC in 2003 as the Fairview Literacy Coordinator at Fairview Elementary. In 2007, she accepted a position as a lead preschool teacher at University Elementary School, where she has taught for the past 12 years. In retirement, she plans to travel and experience the world.
Karen Flater has served as a cook for the Monroe County Community School Corporation for 20 years. She has worked at Clear Creek Elementary School and Tri-North Middle School. She plans to enjoy retirement by spending time with her husband and family and traveling.
Kathleen Fox graduated in 1979 from New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in French and history. In 1982, she earned her Master of Art in history from Indiana University, where she was also a doctoral candidate in history. She began her professional career at Indiana University, serving as the coordinator of the International Center, assistant director of West European Studies and coordinator of the Global Speakers’ Service. In 2000, she began pursuing a teacher’s license in secondary social studies education. In 2006, she accepted a position teaching French at Jackson Creek Middle School. Over the past 16 years, Ms. Fox has taught world history, United States history, French and world languages and culture. In retirement, she plans to travel, help her family, volunteer, research her genealogy, and keep on enjoying her life.
Lance Fox is a graduate of Bloomington High School South. In 1981, he earned his Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Indiana University. He began his teaching career that same year at Little Miami Local Schools in Maineville, Ohio. He also taught for Greensburg Community Schools, during which time he earned a master’s degree in education from Indiana University. In 1989, he accepted a position with MCCSC teaching physical education and health at Tri-North Middle School. Mr. Fox served as the track and football coach at Tri-North Middle School for two years, and as a volunteer track coach at Bloomington High School North for four years. In 1991, he began teaching physical education at University Elementary School, where he has been teaching for the past 28 years. His retirement plans include performing more comedy and singing impressions, being a grandpa and not getting up at 6:30 a.m.
Beth Furman graduated in 1983 from Appalachian State University with a bachelors’ degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career in 1983 as a seventh-grade teacher for Grandview Middle School in Hickory, North Carolina. In 1987, she earned her master’s degree in middle school education from Appalachian State University. That same year, she was recognized as the Grandview Middle School Teacher of the Year. In 1988, she accepted a position with MCCSC as an elementary teacher at Binford Elementary, where she has served for the past 30 years.
Jeannie Hearne graduated in 1984 from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She began her professional career in 1987 when she accepted a position with MCCSC as a resource teacher at Dyer Elementary School. She has served several buildings throughout her career as a special education teacher, including Arlington, Highland Park, Grandview, and Marlin elementary schools, and Bloomington High School South, as well as Northside Middle School in Bartholomew County. For the past 20 years, she has served as a special education teacher at Jackson Creek Middle School. She has also had the honor to be involved as a coach and assistant coach for several athletic teams, including cheerleading, gymnastics, cross country, track, and swimming. Her husband and she plan to enjoy time with their children and grandchildren. They will ride bikes, and swim, and explore flea markets and antique stores during road trips across America. She plans on learning to sew, practicing yoga, and planting a garden. Honoring the special place sea turtles have in her heart, she will spend time in Florida volunteering with the Sea Turtle Hospital and various organizations that promote sea turtle protection awareness programs.
Martha Hupp is a graduate of Unionville High School. She has served the Monroe County Community School Corporation for 20 years, as a custodian and as a custodian assistant supervisor. She has served Jackson Creek Middle School and Grandview Elementary School. In retirement, she plans to spend time with family and friends, stay active tending to her yard, and enjoying her morning coffee on the porch listening to the birds singing and watching the sun rise and set. She has no plans to slow down.
Edward Lavender is a graduate of Ivy Tech Community College. He began his professional career on a line crew in telecommunications work and was promoted to chief engineer. He spent time working in the United Kingdom as a planning and design manager. In 1997, he returned to the United States with plans to retire, but ultimately, wasn’t ready. In 2005, he accepted a position with the Monroe County Community School Corporation as a bus driver. He later became a transportation supervisor for MCCSC. He has served MCCSC for 13 years. In retirement, he plans to fish and live on the water.
Debbie McNeal has served as the extra-curricular bookkeeper in the accounting department at the Monroe County Community School Corporation for 14 years. She plans on spending her retirement with her husband at their home in Fort Myers, Florida.
John Matthews has served as a custodian for the Monroe County Community School Corporation for 38 years. In 1999, he became a supervising foreman for MCCSC. He has served Batchelor Middle School and Childs Elementary School.
Sheree Mills earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Indiana University. She began her teaching career in 1979 with Brown County School Corporation where she taught second, fifth and sixth grade for 22 years. In 2001, she accepted an elementary teaching positing with Monroe County Community School Corporation. During her time with MCCSC, she served Rogers Elementary School for three years and fifteen years at Unionville Elementary School. Her sisters are also retiring this year, and they plan on traveling together. She also plans on being a snowbird and learning how to play golf and bridge.
Dena K. Mobley graduated from Bloomington High School in 1970. She has served the Monroe County Community School Corporation for ten years. She served Childs Elementary School as a cook and a food service assistant supervisor. In 2010, she became the food service supervisor at Arlington Heights Elementary School. She plans to spend her retirement relaxing, traveling, and spending a lot of time with her great grandkids.
Cindy Powers graduated in 1979 from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in forensic studies. Upon graduation, she worked for the IU Foundation, and later, for the School of Education as a career services counselor. In 1997, she completed the Elementary Certification Graduate Program at Indiana University, earning her master’s degree in elementary education the following year. She has served her entire 25-year career in MCCSC with Childs Elementary School, as a playground supervisor, an inclusion aide and as a classroom teacher. In retirement, she plans on traveling, leisurely lunches, staying connected with old friends, and spending more time with family, including her new grandson Henry.
Angela Pyle graduated in 1987 from Olivet Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Science in music education. In 1988, she began her teaching career with Northern Community Schools of Tipton County. The following year she accepted a position as with MCCSC as a music teacher at Tri-North Middle School. In 1996, she earned her master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University. In her 29-year career with MCCSC, she has taught music at Batchelor Middle School, Bloomington High School North, Tri-North Middle School, and Clear Creek, Rogers, Arlington Heights, Grandview, and Highland Park elementary schools. She has been teaching at Highland Park Elementary School for the last 24 years. Her hope for retirement is to travel more, enjoy her family more, relax more and find new interests.
Lisa Riggins graduated in 1986 from the University of Evansville with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education with an English major and a physical education minor. That same year she accepted a position with the Monroe County Community School Corporation as an English teacher both at Tri-North and Bloomington High School South. The following year, she began her 33-year tenure at Tri-North Middle School. In 1988, she earned a master’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University. In retirement, she plans to spend time with her new grandbaby and travel.
Constance Elizabeth Rominehas served the Monroe County Community School Corporation for 15 years. She began her service in 2002 as a School Age Care assistant, and also offered her skills as a preschool lead teacher and preschool coordinator. In her time with MCCSC, she has served at Fairview and Templeton elementary schools. In retirement, she plans to read, travel and volunteer.
Jean K. Schick graduated in 1984 from Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She later earned her Master of Arts for Teachers in biology from Indiana University. She began her teaching career in 1991 as a science teacher with Eastern Green School District. In 1993, she accepted a position with MCCSC as a science teacher at Bloomington High School North, where she has continued to teach for the last 26 years and has served as the chairperson for the BHSN science department since 1998. In 2003, she accepted a position as the science coordinator for MCCSC, which she did while continuing to teach at BHSN. In her retirement, she plans on spending more time with friends and family, expanding her hobbies and interests, and very rarely getting up at 5 a.m.
Dan Stines is a 1976 graduate of Bloomington High School North. In 1978, he completed an auto diesel program at Oakland City College, and the following year accepted a position as transportation mechanic with the Monroe County Community School Corporation. He has served MCCSC for 40 years. He plans on spending his retirement enjoying life with his spouse, Julie, who is also retiring this year.
Penni Jo Stipp is a 1968 graduate of Bloomington High School. In 2009, she accepted a position as a cook with the Monroe County Community School Corporation. She has served as a Cook at Tri-North Middle School for 10 years.
Janis Stockhouse graduated in 1977 from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. She began her teaching career that same year as the band and choral director for North Vermillion Junior- Senior High School. In 1981, she earned her Master of Science in music from Indiana State University. This was the same year she accepted a position as the band director for Bloomington High School North. Ms. Stockhouse has served the BHSN community as band director for 38 years. In retirement, she plans to stay involved in music activities, such as The Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble and The MCCSC 6th Grade Band Program. She will take on guest conducting gigs and plans to start up an adult jazz combo workshop. She also plans to go bike riding every single day.
Connie W. Stuffle graduated in 1976 from Manchester University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. In 1982, she earned her master’s degree in elementary education from Indiana State University. After serving for 20 years, as the Sherwood Oaks weekday preschool teacher and director, she accepted a position as a teacher and coordinator with MCCSC in 2007. In her 11 years with MCCSC, she has served Childs and University elementary schools. In retirement, she plans to spend time with her grandchildren, travel, and look for a new career.
Barbara Zinn graduated in 1975 from Wittenberg University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. In 1989, she earned her master’s degree in education from the College of Mount Saint Joseph. She began her teaching career in 1975 as a language arts and visual arts teacher at McComb Middle School in McComb, Ohio. The following year, she accepted a teaching position with Van Wert City Schools in Van Wert, Ohio, where she taught for 15 years. Her service with MCCSC began in 1995 as a Title I aide at Highland Park Elementary School and Tri-North Middle School. In 1999, she accepted a position as a kindergarten teacher at Highland Park Elementary School, where she has taught for the last twenty years. She plans to spend her retirement gardening, sewing and spending time with family, especially children and grandchildren in Minnesota and Germany.
Star of Excellence Awards
Kara Cheslock
Science Teacher
Batchelor Middle School
Brenda Chokey
Special Education Aide
Bloomington High School South
Claire Clayton
Title I Teacher
Highland Park Elementary
Holly Davis
5th Grade Teacher
Clear Creek Elementary School
Sandra Dunn
Physical Education Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
Colette Eno
English as a New Language Teacher
University Elementary School
Larysa Euteneuer
4th Grade Teacher
Binford Elementary School
Juli Fisher
1st Grade Teacher
Marlin Elementary School
Darrell Frazier
Project Lead The Way Teacher
Tri-North Middle School
Stacey Heath
Special Education Teacher
Templeton Elementary School
Sabrina Herzog
Instructional Coach
Templeton Elementary School
Debbie Hueston
Lead Administrative Assistant
Broadview Learning Center
Christine Hull
Media Specialist
Summit Elementary School
Maria Kioussis
Language Arts Teacher
Bloomington High School North
Sydney Lamb
3rd Grade Teacher
Lakeview Elementary School
Deidra Larche
Social Worker
Academy of Science & Entrepreneurship
Bloomington Graduation School
Barbara McElroy
Lead Administrative Assistant
Bloomington High School North
Angela McKamey
Special Education Aide
Bloomington High School South
Sharon May
Bus Monitor
Transportation Building
Stephanie Momcilovic
Kindergarten Teacher
Arlington Heights Elementary School
Julie Moreland
Corporation Bus Driver
Transportation Building
Andrea Morris
Special Education Teacher
Rogers Elementary School
Kelly Mullis
Early Learning Program Assistant Manager
Early Learning Center
Juli Olsson
3rd Grade Teacher
Highland Park Elementary School
Walter Sayles
Custodial Supervisor
Fairview Elementary School
William Schulz
Lead Skilled Maintenance
Service Building
Janna Shields
Special Education Teacher
Unionville Elementary School
Amanda Shirley
Special Education Aide
Jackson Creek Middle School
Bronwyn Shroyer
Social Worker
Childs Elementary School
Andrea Smith
Pathway and Remediation Coordinator
Hoosier Hills Career Center
David Smith
Special Education Aide
Administration Building
Danny Stines
Class A Skilled Maintenance
Transportation Building
Benjamin Strawn
4th Grade Teacher
Summit Elementary School
Jacob Summers
6th Grade Teacher
Binford Elementary School
Charles Taylor
System and Infrastructure Specialist
Abel Building
Jeremy Watkins
Social Studies Teacher
Tri-North Middle School
Lisa Watts
Special Education Teacher
Grandview Elementary School
Brett Williamson
Physical Education Aide
Jackson Creek Middle School
Thomas Wilson
Band Director
Bloomington High School North
Cassidy Young
Art Teacher
Academy of Science & Entrepreneurship
A big thank you to the sponsors for the evening:
- JA Benefits, LLC
- Old National Bank
- Comprehensive Financial Consultants
- IU Credit Union
- R.E. Diamond and Associates
- Cassady Electric Contractors, Inc.
- Springpoint Architects
- Edmentum
- Ice Miller, LLP
- Toshiba Business Solutions
- Solution Tree
- Garmong Construction
- ISU Insurance Services, The May Agency
- Wellness for Life Medical, LLC
- Bunger and Robertson
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Schmidt Associates
- Weddle Bros. Building Group
- Bledsoe Riggert Cooper & James, Inc.
- Chardon Labs
About the Monroe County Community School Corporation:
The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) serves nearly 11,000 students from diverse populations in 23 schools. MCCSC is a leader in STEM and EARTH curricula, encompasses a Performing Arts Academy, International Baccalaureate schools, Dual Immersion programs, multiple Career Pathways, a Career Center, as well as numerous College Credit and Advanced Placement opportunities to prepare students for college and career readiness. Our commitment, as we educate tomorrow’s leaders, is to Engage, Empower, and Educate all students in a world-class learning environment empowering them to maximize their educational success in becoming productive, responsible global citizens.
