Congratulations to 2024-25 Retirees
Congratulations to our dedicated staff and educators who have announced their retirements this year.
Your hard work and commitment have made a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues. As you embark on this new chapter, we wish you happiness, relaxation, and exciting new adventures. Thank you for your years of service and for making a difference every day!
Rebecca Blocker
Building: Linn-Mar High School
Position: Social Studies Teacher
Years of Service: 25
Reflections: What I have enjoyed most in my 25 years at the high school is simply working in such a positive and supportive environment. My social studies department colleagues have always been the best- fun, helpful, experts in their fields and truly committed to the well-being of students. Knowing that I could always depend on them for help, guidance, or just to act as a sounding board, my colleagues have made coming to school every day a joy. On top of that, the administrators I have worked with over these many years have also been absolutely stellar. They not only make the needs of students a priority but also provide support to staff as well. I have always felt that I could go to administration for any guidance, feedback or support I might need. Finally, I have enjoyed getting to know so many students over the years and watching them mature into young adults. It has been a privilege to teach and most especially to teach at Linn-Mar.
Craig Brown
Building: Oak Ridge
Position: Custodian
Years of Service: 23
Sandy Clabough
Building: Educational Leadership Center
Position: Accounts Payable Specialist
Years of Service: 30
Bob Forsyth
Building: Linn-Mar High School
Position: Physical Education Teacher
Years of Service: 17
Melissa Frick
Building: Educational Leadership Center
Position: Executive Director of Student Services
Years of Service: 4
Reflections: Being part of “We are Linn-Mar” for the past 4 years has been a terrific way to end my years in education. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve, learn, work, and collaborate with the staff, students, families, school board, and community partners within the LM family. While at LM, each day provided new opportunities and experiences to collaborate with outstanding people to support the learning of all for today and beyond.
Sarah Gostonczik
Building: Hazel Point Intermediate
Position: 6th Grade Teacher
Years of Service: 19
Reflections: As I think about the next chapter of my life, what I will miss most about teaching at Linn-Mar (Hazel Point: 5 years & Wilkins: 14 years) is the people. Working in buildings where I feel like I am part of a family and people that care is not something that I think all educators get to experience. Looking back to how I got to Hazel Point (being notified two weeks prior to the school year that I would be a 6th grade virtual classroom teacher instead of returning to my reading support position) has now become a blessing. I taught myself that I could (and did) do hard things. I discovered a love of “medium humans,” a term I made up with my virtual kiddos. Luckily, a 6th grade ELA/Social Studies position opened and I got to stay with the staff that welcomed me with open arms. I will miss my teammates and I will miss my students. I will miss getting to know them as people, helping them learn to trust themselves and become confident in their abilities. I am grateful to have been part of their lives.
Patsy Hoobler
Building: Boulder Peak Intermediate
Position: 5th Grade Teacher
Years of Service: 21
Reflections: I have many good memories from my time in Linn-Mar and the building staffs I was a part of. However, getting to open a new building at Boulder Peak was something I never imagined I would get to do. It has been very rewarding and the people I have worked with are incredibly supportive.
Jan Hunting
Building: Echo Hill Elementary
Position: Paraprofessional
Years of Service: 27
Reflections: I have so many happy memories from my time at Linn-Mar and they all include the many wonderful people I have worked with over the years. What I have most enjoyed about my time at Linn-Mar is all the great friendships I have developed and will forever treasure with both staff and students! My heart is full!
Mark Hutcheson
Building: Linn-Mar High School
Position: Director of High School Teaching & Learning
Years of Service: 30
Reflections: I have countless great memories from my time at Linn-Mar, but taking part in the Boys Basketball State Tournament as a coach stands out above the rest. The energy and excitement surrounding the tournaments were unforgettable. I’ll always remember the incredible atmospheres—the players giving it their all, the passionate students in the stands, and the overwhelming support from the community. They were snapshots in time that, for me, truly captured the spirit of Linn-Mar. What I’ve valued most about Linn-Mar is its people. From the math students I taught early in my career to the chemistry students I worked with later on, and the dedicated colleagues I had the privilege of learning from along the way—each connection has been meaningful. The support from the community has been incredible, and I truly couldn’t imagine a better place to have spent a career.
Diane Irvine
Building: Echo Hill Elementary
Position: 2nd Grade Teacher
Years of Service: 20
Reflections: One of my favorite memories about teaching here at Linn-Mar at the years that I was a special education teacher and Camp Courageous had a Christmas party out there. We took all our kiddos and they had so much fun. It was fun to see them as they received their present from Santa and how thankful they were for the opportunity. Another favorite of mine is our team Friday lunches. Our team decided it was important to make sure we take time for us each week so we order in lunch and have lunch as a team and discuss what’s ahead for the weekend. I have been blessed to work with so of the most amazing teachers out there.
Kerry Jourdan-McSperrin
Building: Hazel Point Intermediate
Position: 6th Grade Teacher
Years of Service: 31
Reflections: Teaching is more than a job. It has been an opportunity to touch the lives of students, families and the community as a whole. I loved having the opportunity to see students take their learning and apply it in all aspects of their lives. Making a lasting difference in their lives has been my favorite memory.
Kelly Kretschmar
Building: Indian Creek Elementary
Position: Principal
Years of Service: 27
Lisa Lloyd
Building: Linn-Mar High School
Position: Student Support Associate
Years of Service: 7
Ann Matthews
Building: Bowman Woods Elementary
Position: Secretary
Years of Service: 7
Carol Mcneil
Building: Linn Grove Elementary
Position: Title I Reading Teacher
Years of Service: 20
Alex Neff
Building: Linn-Mar High School
Position: Math Teacher
Years of Service: 7
Cindy Nelson
Building: Novak Elementary
Position: Reading Teacher
Years of Service: 23
Reflections: What I enjoyed most about the Linn-Mar Community was working with a team and building where I felt valued for my contributions and that people cared about each other and our students.
Lisa Peterson
Building: Linn-Mar High School
Position: ATLAS Teacher
Years of Service: 2
Reflections: Linn-Mar is an exceptional school district, and I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to be part of it. Although my time here has been brief, I deeply value the memories and friendships I’ve made. As the end of the year approaches, I’ve been reflecting on my experiences, especially with the incredible ATLAS/COMPASS team. Right from the beginning, they welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like a valued team member. One of my favorite memories was when our counselor treated us to her famous shrimp boil. It was a day filled with delicious food, laughter, and great company. Moments like that and the support of my colleagues made coming to work a joy. The best part of my job was helping students in our program find success at school and earn credits for graduation. As I begin my new adventures, I will treasure these memories.
Karla Ries
Building: Educational Leadership Center
Position: Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning
Years of Service: 7
Reflections: Serving the students and staff at Linn-Mar has been a true gift. The camaraderie and teamwork that I experienced made even the toughest tasks enjoyable and I will miss the daily interactions with my colleagues. It’s the people that will stay with me long after my retirement.
Judy Suchan
Building: Bowman Woods Elementary
Position: Satellite Manager/General Help (Nutrition Services)
Years of Service: 6
Reflections: I’ve been very fortunate to work for the Linn Mar School district in that I’ve had a great staff and good mentors. I’ve forged new friendships and I have plenty of memories from the kiddos.