Medford celebrates retiring teachers, staff members

The Medford Area Public School District (MAPSD) honored recent retirees during a banquet held May 17 at Centennial Community Center in Stetsonville.

In 2023, MAPSD had the following 13 retirees who combined had 335.5 years of service to education. Of the retirees, 10 attended the banquet to receive their plaques from the Department of Public Instruction and a clock hand-made by retired educator Bruce Pawlowicz.

Retirees for 2023 were: Lisa Brooks, 31 years; Tran Brooks, 30 years; Tom Burt, 33 years; Lynn Coyer, 19 years; Dennis Hinderliter, 31.5 years; Laurie Keefe, 36 years; Ronette Lehman, 36 years; Stacy Leonard, 31 years; Gloria Lindahl, 23 years; Dave Makovsky, 19 years; Jennifer Shipman, 30 years; Gail Hoffman, 10 years; and Susan Johnas, six years.

Lisa Brooks has worked in education for 31 years; all in Medford and all at MAMS. She is currently Grade 5 & 6 Physical Education/ Grade 8 Health Teacher. She is married to Tran who has been a high school Science Teacher for 30 years. They have been married for 30 years and have two children: Kayla, 25 and Josh, 24. What Lisa likes best about her job is helping students to understand that each one is very important and have the potential to become a highly functioning adult. What she will miss the most is working with the students and helping them to learn important life lessons for a healthy life. What she liked the least is non-purposeful work. What she will miss the least is SLO & PPG. Lisa’s advice to colleagues is to be committed to the belief that every child is important and each student has the capability to reach his or her full potential with your help on a daily basis. When a student is misbehaving, understand the “why” of their behavior. There usually is a reason for their actions and it is up to you to help the person to learn how to change it. Set realistic expectations for their behavior but be patient with the process. Have a high level of energy and enthusiasm for teaching your topic and continually revise and reflect on your lessons to provide the best instruction for the students. Appreciate the staff that is a part of the life of each student. It takes each of us to help that child to be a positive part of our society. Lisa’s retirement plans are coaching gymnastics and fitness.

Tran Brooks has worked in education for 30 years; all in Medford and all at MASH. He is currently a high school Science Teacher. He is married to Lisa. They have been married for 30 years and have two children: Kayla, 25 and Josh, 24. What Tran likes best about his job is seeing the effort of students becoming successful in their activities as well as labs and demos that lit up student’s faces. What he will miss the most is lunches, treats, potlucks and the camaraderie among staff. What he liked least is student discipline. Trying to keep some students on task when they did not want to be there. What he will miss the least is completing all the paperwork and make-up work for the students and the late night grading. Tran’s advice to colleagues is take time for the little things in life as well as seeing the big picture. Enjoy the journey and have fun with your career. We do make a difference. Tran’s retirement plans are to R-E-L-A-X, family, travel and golf.

Tom Burt has worked in education for 33 years; all in Medford. He has worked at MAMS and MASH. He is currently Grades 5-7 Band Teacher. Tom has two daughters: Beth, who lives in Menominee and Margo, who lives in Minneapolis. He has one grandson, Aiden. What Tom likes best about his job is actually teaching and working with younger kids. What he will miss the most are the kids’ daily venture and development. What he likes least about his job is SafeSchool training, SLO & PPG. What he will miss the least is SLO & PPG. Tom’s advice to colleagues is to listen to your students and develop a relationship, then the teaching will come. Tom’s retirement plans are to gig out in my one man band, to hunt the rut, maybe sub occasionally and spend time with his grandson! He would like to