Parsons USD 503 bid farewell to 10 retirees Friday, who collectively devoted more than 292 years to the district and even more to the education profession.
The retirees said they will miss their coworkers and students but have plans to spend more time with family, especially grandchildren, to travel and complete projects they’ve had waiting on the back burner.
Jane Good has been working in 503 for 20 years. She taught freshman English for 10 years and then moved to instructional coach and building test coordinator.
“I will miss my hard-working, devoted colleagues the most. I have admired their flexibility, which is required to meet students’ needs, but also their resilience, demonstrated by coming back and doing it every day,” Good said.
Liz Phillips has worked for the district for 38 years. She taught first, third, third/fourth split, fourth, fifth and sixth grade social studies and seventh- grade science and writing. Besides spending time with family, she plans to volunteer in her grandkids’ classrooms.
Janelle Smythe dedicated 41 years to Parsons USD 503. She has held many roles, including third-grade teacher, Title I reading/math, seventh-grade ELA teacher and middle school reading interventionist.
Besides spending time with family, she plans to relax, read some good mystery books, play her guitar and hang out with friends.
Sally Mosier has worked for the district for 32 years, through Tri-County, as the school psychologist.
Mosier said she will miss “the amazing people. USD 503 is full of loving professionals who truly care about our kids and each other. It’s definitely a happy place. And of course, I’m going to miss the sweet kids, their hugs, waves, funny comments, etc.”
Debra Reeves has worked in the district for more than 30 years. She has worked as a Tri-County para and an aide. Reeves reported she had plans to travel, and she wasn’t waiting. She had already begun and so wasn’t present at the retirement celebration.
JoDee Rea has been with the district for 23 years. She has worked as a computer tech and Title aide.
“I will miss the unconditional love the kids have for me and I for them, especially all the times I heard the phrase, ‘I love you.’ I will miss the close bond I shared with the Title team,” Mrs. Rea said. “Most of all, I will miss the laughter. Laughter was a big part of my day.”
Mrs. Rea says she hopes to travel more and she plans to pursue a business adventure with her husband, Bruce Rea, who retired at the same time.
Mr. Rea has been a CTE teacher for the past 23 years. He taught drafting, architecture and robotics. In his retirement, he will continue to work for Magnum Systems and will pursue his business interest with JoDee. He created and patented the flag lighting on the poles around the school and plans to develop that into a business.
Sherry Dunlay has worked in the district for Tri-County for the past 30 years.
She has had many different roles at the middle school and high school, including behavior teacher, facilitator, resource teacher, transition teacher and, for the last 16 years, secondary coordinator.
Nancy Steinert has dedicated 23 years altogether. She started as a Tri-County para and worked as a Title math teacher and Viking Instructional Center teacher.
She ended her career as a math teacher at the high school.
Robie Martin has given 32 years to the district, first as a library aide, the library media specialist and finally librarian.
“I will miss our school community,” Martin said.
“The connections and friendships made over the decades will continue, but I will miss people that I care deeply for every day.
“I will miss our students, an ever-changing and always wonderful collection of eclectic beauty and energy and ideas.”
Not included in the current retirees recognized for 292 years of dedicated service were former retirees Bert Smith, who returned for a few years as head high school custodian, and Mark Pound, who served the last few years as the JAG-Kansas coordinator.
The district administrators said they are grateful to them for coming out of retirement to help the district.
Superintendent Lori Perkins expressed Parsons USD 503’s heartfelt gratitude for all the years of unwavering commitment these retirees have given. Their hard work, dedication and inspiration have made a lasting impact on students, schools, colleagues and community, and their legacies will continue on.
We wish them much happiness and fulfillment in their retirement.
