"Education is improving the lives of others, and for leaving your community and the world better than you found it."
Marian Wright Edelman
This is a place to express our appreciation to exceptional people who are retiring from DeWitt Middle School this year. We are all better people for having known them and we wish them the greatest happiness and well-being as they continue their journey.
On this page you can:
- See messages from and about our retirees.
- In place of paying for a retirement dinner, thank them for their service by donating in their name to their chosen charity.
- Send them a personal message.
Our Honorees
Wayne Gottlieb
A message from Wayne:
Donate in Wayne Gottlieb's name to: Robin Fund at GIAC.
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| Carleen Corey Every hour of every day this school depended on Carleen and her crew. She has been the consummate professional yet managed to laugh when needed. We will miss her more than we can say. |
Patricia Armstrong
The number of people touched by Tricia is too many to count. There will be few of us who can match the legacy she leaves, but she taught ALL of us how to love, to see beyond the person to the heart and soul. You are irreplaceable.
Read her touching goodbye message with advice every teacher would benefit from.
Watch the video tribute compiled by Robyn Saulsbury.
Donate in her name to one of her charities of choice:
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| Cathi Exantus Message from Cathi Donate in Cathi's name to her chosen charity: Village at Ithaca--Emergency Fund |
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| Joan Dufresne Every morning, before it was even light, Joanie was at school so that when everyone else showed up, we had a clean, safe, enjoyable place to work because of her diligent, professional, efficient service. She will be sorely missed. |
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| Janet Edwards Parker Janet was the face of calm, perceptive, and kind service to her students. She was the perfect professional, but also managed to be personal and have empathy. We learned a lot from watching her work with students who needed the most support. You will leave a place that will be hard to fill. |
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| Ron Harding Ron was never at a loss for stories, advice, and observations to enrich the classroom experience. He had perceptive comments to add to our discussions. Ron was a great supporter of the Ping Pong Club and one of our best popcorn customers! |
Cathi Exantus was instrumental in bringing the 8th grade team together as a group who valued each other as colleagues and more importantly enjoyed each other as friends. Back in the day when the team was mostly a group of "old farts", three new young members Shannon O'Laughlin, Meg Cain, and Dawn Johnson joined the team. Cathi decided to host a grade level party with a Southern theme to bring us together. She encouraged us all to bring our favorite Southern food, served a variety of Southern cocktails, and hosted a hysterical team game all of which she performed in her most theatrical Southern drawl. Her generosity solidified the team into a group of close-knit friends. (Susan Danskin)
ReplyDeleteAnd after Mark had his heart attack, I was walking to the copier one day and Cathi just put a bag of food right into my hands. It was totally unexpected and very much needed in that moment. (Jennifer L-M)
ReplyDeleteHey Mac Knight!
ReplyDeleteI understand that you’re hangin’ up your Chuck Taylor low cuts, and perhaps pickin’ up some Arnold Palmer clubs and a golf ball to begin your retirement!
So many great memories of our years together at LACS! You were so gracious to fill-in for me when I was on the road with one thing or another, and for consulting with me at many crucial points. There were times to celebrate, e.g. when you beat Binghamton on their home court in overtime! You were a demanding coach who expected nothing less than the best from yourself and your players.
Then, too, there was sharing a tent doing the long bike group trips, shine and rain! There were discussions about how we could do better by our students of color, and my learning to listen to their parent/caregivers, even when it was tough to hear. And at one point, this all leading to the creation of, and your facilitating, a “Students-of-Color” Committee.
I recall a thoughtful conversation about whether you should take a principal position in Rochester with a predominantly African-American high school, and deciding to stay in Ithaca (their loss, our gain!}. And so many other memories, but mainly simply knowing how fortunate we were to have you as our PE teacher (and so much more!), and to get to know you and your family (those beautiful young girls - now young women!) - and how fortunate I am to have you as a former colleague and friend!
God Bless, Mac Knight, on your next journey around the sun!
Be Well and Be in Peace, Dr. Dave
Carleen and Joanie, I can't imagine successfully navigating this coming year without you both. You were always there when I was in trouble, and solved my problems before the ink was dry on the request for help. I will personally feel your absence deeply.
ReplyDeleteMac, thank you for all your patience and gentle guidance over the years. Take some time to slow down and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteCarleen & Joan, thank you for quite literally, keeping our school together, and always helping without complaint - whether it was cleaning up shards of broken glass, spilled sugar or loads and loads of cardboard... than you.
ReplyDeleteWayne, your presence will be sorely missed, as well as yor talent, kindness and sense of humor. Yours will be hard shoes to fill.
ReplyDeleteTrish, I have learned so much from you. Thank you.
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ReplyDeleteCathi and Wayne- Your departure will leave a gaping hole in 7th grade that will be difficult to fill. I wish you both all the best.
ReplyDeleteCarleen and Joan- There are not enough thank yous for all you have done for DeWitt and for me personally. Thanks for the blue chairs. I will think of you both everytime I see them. Be well.
Tricia and Janet- Community Based is a place of wonder and you were both instrumental in making it so. Tricia, thanks for all the wonderful times on our joint trip ventures.
Ron- "So, did I ever tell you about when..." I will miss your stories and always being left to wonder how much of it was true.
Mac- It has been a pleasure to work for and with you. You have been instrumental in guiding me in my relationship building with students. Take care. I will miss you.
These comments are from Danskin. For some reason, the blog thinks I am an unknown...
DeleteBTW, as far as I know, with the departure of Carleen and Tricia, I now wear the crown of longest resident of the wonderful home we call DeWitt. 1990 official hire, 1989 student teaching and 1988 pre-student teaching.
I believe you are correct, Susan-or maybe it's Gilbert.... Either way you two are the keepers of the flame.
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