Schools

District 63 Recognizes Retiring Educators

The district toasted Cass Junior High math teacher Louise Tepavchevich, Cass teacher assistant Donna Holland and Concord Elementary School teacher assistant Sally McCarthy during Tuesday's school board meeting.

It's hard to say goodbye, but three longtime educators got a particularly fond farewell Tuesday night at the School Board meeting.

The district toasted math teacher Louise Tepavchevich, Cass teacher assistant Donna Holland and teacher assistant Sally McCarthy. 

Although the district usually holds a banquet to recognize retiring staff, Superintendent Kerry Foderaro said the three women are so humble it was hard to convince them to even come to the reception at the school board meeting.

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“They’re really embarrassed right now and they don’t want a lot of attention,” he said.

Karen Hyder, president of the Cass Teacher Association, said that the women’s contributions to the district will be sorely missed. 

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“I always felt like our teacher assistants are really our silent warriors,” she said. “You may think you go unnoticed, but believe me, teachers notice everything you have done over the years and the hours you have devoted to students over the years.”

McCarthy came to District 63 25 years ago when her own children were students, she said. She transitioned into a professional role with the district 19 years ago. 

“I walked in (as a parent) and I knew what a wonderful school it was,” she said. “But I really knew what a great school it was once I got inside the walls.”

Tepavchevich said both the staff and the larger District 63 community have made it a wonderful place to work for 24 years.

“It’s not my job, it’s my other family. It’s always been,” she said.

Holland has worked at both Cass and Concord during her 19 years with the district. 

“You guys have the best people still left behind,” she said of the other staff in the district. “They’re wonderful.”

The district presented the retiring staff with flower arrangements and celebrated them with cake. 

“District 63 is a very special place for the children of our community,” Foderaro said. “These three individuals are part of the reason why over the past three decades it’s been a special place.”


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