Four teachers and staff members will be retiring this year. As sad as it may be, these staff members are moving on to another chapter of their lives with plans for what they will do in retirement. English teacher Rose Fleming has plans to travel to many countries, starting this fall. 

  “I have a trip to Italy planned in October,” Fleming said.

  Fleming’s first career was actually banking, but she decided to switch to teaching because she always knew she wanted to be a teacher, even as a little kid.  

  “I enjoyed English, reading, and writing, and wanted to share the enjoyment with young people,” Fleming said.

  English teacher Leila Lararski also said that teaching is “something that I kind of always had in the back of my mind.” She is planning to take advantage of her newfound free time, but also acknowledges it will be bittersweet. 

  “I have mixed emotions in looking forward to having more [time] for my hobbies, but it will be an adjustment going from such an active job to having unlimited time,” Lazarski said. 

  Similar to Lazarski, administrative assistant Diane Milligan has relaxing plans of  “sleeping in and watching my grandkids”. 

  Milligan explains that the school is a place where it’s full of excitement each day because there is always something new.

  “It’s a job that is never dull because you’re working with people, the interactions with students make the day fly by because you’re active while you work,”  Milligan said.

  Assistant principal Jon Puklin has not decided exactly what he will do after retirement, but “golf will be a big part of it.”

 One moment that stuck with him throughout his career as one of his favorite memories was chaperoning prom in 2018. 

“Prom was hosted on a boat in Chicago, and a couple of other teachers and I wore crazy outfits,” Puklin said. 

  After many years of experience, retirees have some advice for future employees.

  “Just take one day at a time and do what you’ve got to do and enjoy the day,” Milligan said.

  Even though they are happy to be moving on, they will still miss parts of their jobs here. 

  “I will miss the relationships with colleagues and students that I have had over the past 34 years,” Puklin said.