Crestview Local Schools Board of Education honored seven retiring district employees during a special recognition ceremony Monday evening at Crestview Middle School.
Retirees Janice Clancy, Peggy Elchert, Carl Metzger, Dianne Parker, Judi Roman, Patti Hill and Larry Vipperman each were presented a plaque by Board President Bill Bolin in honor of their years of dedicated service to the Crestview Local School District.
Supt. Scott Will introduced the retirees and thanked them for their total of 135 years of service to Crestview schools. “Now you get to explore some of those passions you haven’t been able to enjoy during your years of service here,” Will said.
Clancy has taught at Crestview since 1984, most recently teaching sixth- and seventh-grade science at the Middle School. She had more than 36 years of total teaching service during her career. Will shared a quote from Clancy that summarized her years of service: “It is said that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. I have found it to be true.” Clancy plans to enjoy traveling with her husband in their RV.
Elchert came to Crestview in 1987 as a Special Education Tutor and then was hired in 1988 as a Special Education Teacher. In 1999, she took on the role of K-8 Guidance Counselor. Remembering her career, Peggy said, “The personal stories from student and staff have led me into personal growth paths I wouldn’t have gone otherwise.” Her plans for retirement include spending more time with her mother, children, grandchildren and miniature horses.
Metzger started as a substitute teacher before being hired to teach sixth grade at Savannah Elementary. When Savannah and Union Elementary Schools moved to the Crestview campus in 1993, he taught fifth-grade Language Arts. He later taught computers to grades K-8 and most recently taught computers to grades 4-8. Metzger said his favorite memories include “the ‘good old days’ when our rooms were self-contained at Savannah.” Metzger plans to continue his painting business and hopefully do some fishing on Lake Erie.
After teaching mechanical engineering at North Central Technical College for 16 years, Parker came to Crestview High School in 2000 to teach Math and Advanced Math. During the ceremony, Parker was joined by her 10-month-old grandson, Grant, who appeared happy to be helping his grandmother celebrate. Parker, who loves animals, said her future plans include babysitting Grant and all future grandchildren of all species.
Roman said her greatest legacy was making the library the most exciting room in the building. “I cannot tell you how much I appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the Crestview community. This isn’t just a job, it’s a ministry,” Roman said. She came to Crestview in 2000 after teaching at St. Jude (Elyria), Mansfield St. Peter’s High and Mansfield City Schools. Roman’s future plans are “open to anything,”
Hill was hired in 2001 at Crestview Middle School to teach Family and Consumer Sciences. “The staff at Crestview truly cares about students and works hard to help them succeed,” Hill said. “I will always remember the smiles and tears while waving to the students as they pulled away in school buses on the last day of school.” Her husband of almost 30 years, Steve, is a teacher at Madison High School and will be retiring on the same day. Together they plan to travel, volunteer and complete home projects that have been on hold.
Vipperman began his work at Crestview as custodian in January 2003. Looking back on his time at Crestview, he said, “I have lots of memories, but the ones that were some of the best were all my little teacher kid buddies.” His future plans are “to do whatever life brings my way.”
After Will spoke about each of the retirees, several former and current teachers and administrators took the opportunity to share stories and thank the retirees for their service.
