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Community Corner

Wall Township Public Schools Pay Tribute To 2013-2014 Retirees

Last month, Wall Township Public Schools proudly recognized their retiring employees at their monthly Board of Education Meeting, held on June 17, 2014, at Wall Intermediate School. Among the 2013-2014 retirees were: teachers, administrative assistants, custodians, bus drivers, maintenance employees, an administrator, a member of the Food Services Department, a media specialist, and the school nurse from Wall High School.

The first retiree to be recognized was veteran teacher, Mrs. Judy Kirby. Mrs. Kirby taught 2nd grade at Allenwood Elementary School for 36 years, teaching more than 1,000 students over two generations. Allenwood’s Principal, William Carson, shared his appreciation for Mrs. Kirby with the audience. He described her as, “A remarkable person who fought for her students, teaching children the love of learning, and to believe they were each special in their own way.”

Mrs. Mary Beth D’Antoni, a Reading Specialist at Central School, was also honored. Mrs. D’Antoni taught for more than 29 years, 25 of those years were for Wall Township Public Schools. Ms. Tiffany Madhavan, Acting Principal of Central School, referred to Mrs. D’Antoni as a “secret weapon” saying she was powerful in her ability to teach reading. Ms. Madhavan went on to say, “the District was blessed to have Mrs. D’Antoni and that she possessed the talent and ability to change lives.”

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Mrs. Janet Hankins and Mrs. Denise Cleary, both teachers, were then recognized by Mrs. Carol Duffy, the Director of Special Services and Principal of Wall Primary School. Mrs. Hankins spent 34 years teaching in Wall, 20 years were at the Preschool level. Principal Duffy said, “Janet gave children the freedom to explore, teaching problem solving, creativity, listening skills, social skills, provided a literacy rich classroom, with kindness and lots of TLC. Mrs. Cleary was a Speech Teacher/Therapist giving the gift of speech and language to more than a 1,000 students, in Wall Township, over her 35 years of service in the District. Mrs. Cleary was also named “Teacher of the Year” for 2014 at Wall Primary School.

Several other retiring employees attended the Board of Education Meeting to receive their Retirement Certificate of Appreciation. Richard Nardini served Wall Township Public Schools for 25 years in the Custodial and Operations Department. Wall Intermediate School Principal Erin Embon said, “Mr. Nardini was a good soul, always smiling and saying hello to everyone he encountered.” Mrs. Arlene Gaona, who worked with thousands of students during her 29-year tenure in Wall, at both the Alternative High School and Wall High School, was described as a teacher with a star personality, who was always positive and energetic. Wall High School Principal Rose Sirchio said, ”Mrs. Gaona would be missed in the halls and in the classroom.”

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The final retirees to be honored for their dedication and service to Wall Township Public Schools were bus drivers Mrs. Patricia Hirlemann and Mrs. Stella Viel. Mrs. Hirlemann dedicated 27 years of her life to safely driving the children of Wall Township to and from school. Mrs. Viel, a 20-year employee for the Transportation Department also held the position of Custodian for five of those years. Wall Township Public Schools Business Administrator Brian Smyth thanked both women for their years of service and said, “You will be difficult to replace. Congratulations!”

Wall Township Public Schools would once again like to extend our sincere appreciation to all our 2013-2014 retirees. Please see the list below to view all retirees:

  • Judith Kirby
  • Mary Beth D’Antoni
  • Charlotte Burkholder
  • Madonna Clayton
  • Denise Cleary
  • Laura Eble
  • Madelyn Fox
  • Arlene Gaona
  • Norma Mulrain
  • Douglas Richardson
  • Gary Azzolini
  • Patricia Herbert
  • Richard Nardini
  • Joseph Gilbert-Rogers
  • Peter Herbst
  • Janet Hankins
  • Veronica Wildeman
  • Patricia Hirlemann
  • Stella Viel
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