As a group of Samohi seniors prepare to put Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) in the rearview mirror, it is also time for some of the district’s dedicated employees to ride into the sunset.
During a special meeting of the SMMUSD Board of Education on June 6, the board took 90 minutes to send well wishes to 63 district retirees, ranging from teachers and administrators to a host of staff members in various roles. Many of the employees spent decades with the district, making the ceremony a giving of thanks within the whirlwind of graduation season.
"I hope we can all slow down right now in this moment, breathe, reflect and celebrate our retirees," SMMUSD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mark Kelly said. "This is our opportunity to thank them for their service to our schools … we give thanks to anyone who gives themselves to provide public service."
Kelly added that the evening wasn’t bittersweet, but rather a "celebration," something the board echoed as they clapped for each retirees’ contributions.
"We celebrate the work that has been done and thank you for all the work … we cannot say how much of us appreciate what you’ve given to students and this district," Board of Education President Jennifer Smith said.
Teachers at elementary, middle and high school sites were all recognized during the meeting. At Grant Elementary School, Amy Cordes is retiring as 5th grade teacher after 25 years in the district, including time at Grant and Roosevelt Elementary School as a 4th grade educator. Involved in endeavors like the Math Olympiad, Cordes was noted as a "valuable team player" who "considered the needs of the whole school." Another teacher noted for extracurricular contributions was Franklin Elementary School 5th grade teacher Paula Flynn, who taught the grade level at Franklin for 22 years and brought the Mock Trial team to the school.
An administrator on the elementary level moving on from the district is Lori Orum, who served as Edison Language Academy Principal since 2005, a legacy that "will long be remembered" according to district staff. Orum was originally hired at Edison in 1996, and Elizabeth Ipiña will be stepping into her role as principal.
Lincoln Middle School had a host of retirees, ranging from paraeducator Janet Wingfield to physical education teachers Gevin Wallace and Mary Hirt. A duo of science teachers also called it a day, those being 23-year Lincoln veteran Michele Sinclair and 22-year district employee Carol Wrabel, who facilitated the Student Space Flight Exploration Program at the school.
The longest-tenured Lincoln staff member retiring is 7th grade English and history teacher Amanda Valenzuela, who was hired in the district in February 1990 and moved to Lincoln in 1994. Called a "Lincoln legend" who has been "a mentor, a confidant and a friend to many," Valenzuela was a Lincoln student herself and eventually taught several current Lincoln educators.
Much like its seniors, Samohi employees will be moving on to their retirement plans, including Thelma Custodio who worked for 42 years in the district, primarily as a paraeducator.
"Thelma is a consummate professional who works hard to ensure students and teachers are supported … and has been an asset in every classroom," Kelly said. "She always takes however much time is needed to work with her students."
Other Samohi retirees include fellow paraeducator Carol Capitano, who worked at a multitude of SMMUSD sites since 1997, and 32-year Spanish teacher Leigh McKeller who "always has a positive attitude even on the most stressful days." A teacher-coach hybrid retiring is Tania Fischer, who started in the district in November 1991, serving as a Samohi art teacher as well as head coach for the Vikings track and field and cross country teams. She will be bringing her love of running to Eugene, Oregon this summer in USA Track and Field Masters competition.
"She has inspired and mentored countless athletes over the years," Kelly said of Fischer.
Office employees and administrators at Samohi were also celebrated, such as senior office specialist Karen Radford, M House administrative assistant Jenny Chew and S House Principal Hector Medrano. Medrano, who joined the district in 2014, has overseen student activities such as Prom and Yearbook.
"Hector has brought enthusiasm, investment, cultural sensitivity and care for the overall welfare of our students," Kelly said. "He is skilled at listening to all involved and working towards authentic team-building for students, parents and staff."
Employees were also recognized from the district maintenance and operations, transportation, purchasing, fiscal, facility improvements, human resources, special education, child development, education technology services and food services departments.
