SAD 1 recognizes retiring employees

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Eight retiring SAD 1 employees — Helen Merriam, Cheryl Martin, Diana Mulherin, Cathy Allen, Carolyn Phelps, Larry Fox, Donna Lisnik and Sharon Brown — were recognized at the June 11 school board meeting for their years of dedicated service and contributions to the district. Also retiring from SAD 1 but not attending the recognition ceremony were Karen Anderson, Deborah Smith, Rodney Merriam and Karen Shaw.
Shaw taught 39 years, mostly as a second-grade teacher at Pine Street School. Her supervisor, Pine Street Principal Loretta Clark, said “Karen has always held each child’s best interest near her heart as a teacher. She has worked closely with our second grade team of teachers and they consider each other as family! Over the years she has shared her skills and knowledge with an array of other new teachers in order to help make their educational path meaningful and successful.”
Clark also appreciated Shaw’s influence on others at the school. “Karen has a wonderful sense of humor and knew just when the students and/or staff needed a ‘pick me up’! Her kind and sweet gestures will certainly be missed at Pine! Our staff and students will especially miss her ‘fashion bug’ apparel and creative and beautiful accentuating accessories.
“We wish Karen many years of enjoyment and relaxation as she pursues her retirement journey. I will miss seeing her in ‘Siberia’!” Clark added.
Rodney Merriam, a former firefighter, served as a bus driver in the district for 19 years. His supervisor, SAD 1 Transportation Director Ray Miller said he will leave big shoes to fill.
“Rodney Merriam will be very tough to replace. As driver of Bus 31, he picked up and delivered children with special needs and that takes special talents. His co-workers called him Tiny but he’s really a gentle giant. It’s not an easy job being responsible for the safety of our kids. He’s very dependable and keeps on top of his other tasks like making sure his bus was clean and ready to roll,” said Miller.
Deborah Smith worked in the local school district for 15 years, most recently as special education ed tech at Presque Isle High School.
“Deborah came to work for MSAD 1 in 1999 as an educational technician in the Special Education program at Presque Isle High School. She has provided support and assistance to hundreds of children in our high school programs since she began and served teachers in both the resource and self-contained programs. She has dedicated her time and energy to help children grow and learn which has been appreciated,” said Director of Special Education Mary Guerrette, Smith’s supervisor.
Karen Anderson, the district’s special education secretary, leaves with nine years in SAD 1 and a total of 14 years’ total experience. Guerrette is also Anderson’s supervisor.
“Karen is retiring from a long, successful career serving in different capacities in Special Education. She first worked for MSAD 1 in the 1990s as a consulting resource teacher before moving to North Carolina. She returned to our district in 2009 to work in the Special Education office. She has provided great support and assistance to the many students, parents, staff and providers and has always demonstrated dedication and commitment to her work and support to the people she works with,” Guerrette said.
The retirees, who were each recognized with a plaque and a gift certificate, represent a combined 338 years of experience.