For seven faculty and staff members at Clearview Elementary, the end of this school year was extra bittersweet, as it was truly the last day of school for each of them.

 

Although they’ll miss Clearview, each is excited to begin the next phase of their lives with retirement.

 

 

Bacon graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1982 with a degree in elementary education. His first assignment was teaching fifth grade at a school in Gwinner, ND. In 1991, he moved to St. Cloud and was hired by District 742, where he taught fourth, fifth and sixth grades. 

 

After receiving his master’s in special education and graduate certificate in instructional technology from St. Cloud State University, Bacon changed careers and began working as a media specialist for the district. He’s been at Clearview for the past three years. 

 

“I taught at Discovery for 20 years and assumed I would end my teaching career there,” he said. “Being transferred to Clearview has been the best thing that happened to me in my 30-plus years of teaching. The students, staff, parents and volunteers you work with everyday are just the best. I’ll certainly miss that part of my job.”

 

After retirement, Bacon is considering the possibility of picking up a trade such as welding at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. He plans to read, take walks, go to movies, travel and hang out with his wife of 26 years, retired school psychologist Beth Kiffe.

 

“Cole ensures that everything is working around our building,” said Principal Sheri Rutar. “He is constantly running from room to room to help with whatever needs the staff encounters. He will be missed for not only his media skills but also his personal demeanor and his kind heart.”

 

 

Ingeman was raised in Morgan, MN, a small rural community where her high school music teacher inspired her to want to teach music. She attended Southwest State University where she became certified in teaching music K-12 and elementary classroom K-6.

 

She taught for two years while in the Peace Corps in Micronesia, and has taught vocal music at Clearview for 40 years. In 1993, she was a Fullbright scholar studying the arts in Indonesia, where she learned about Gamelan music. She was so inspired she helped bring it to Clearview, where they have since had an Indonesian residency for the past 10 years.

 

“I love teaching our students in the Orff approach where they sing, create and play music together, using barred instruments, drums and recorders,” said Ingeman. “Students are eager to learn about other cultures, their music and historical connections, so I will miss giving them a glimpse into the bigger world.”

 

Along with the students, she said she will miss the staff at Clearview, as they are kind and helpful, “The small community feeling is ever present and people care about each other.”

 

Ingeman plans to enjoy later starts to her mornings, instead of her usual 5 a.m. wakeup time. Travel, reading, spending time with family and playing guitar are also part of her plans, as well as assessing her next venture in helping the make the world a better place.

 

“Karen knows every child and encourages them to pursue music, energizing them to perform and do their best,” said Rutar. “Students love to participate in the music when they play various instruments and do some creative movement, Karen delivers a variety of instruction to her students which makes them successful in the music area.”

 

 

Gerdts-Senger graduated from Mankato State, and worked at a variety of campuses before coming to Clearview, where she has taught art for the past 26 years. 

 

“I will miss the staff, kids and parents that I have worked with over the past years,” she said.

 

After retirement, she plans to weed her garden and make art.

 

“Kathy is passionate about art and encourages students to get involved in the art field,” said Rutar. “Students love going to art and creating a variety of projects. Kathy knows every student and their families, and attends every event at Clearview, helping in whatever capacity she can.”

 

 

Lembeck has been a first-grade teacher in District 742 for 33 years. She began her career at Clearview in 1985, was transferred to McKinley the next fall where she taught for seven years, then spent the majority of her career teaching at Madison. She returned to Clearview for her last three years teaching. 

 

She said she’s come full circle in her career, as during her first year at Clearview she taught the parents of one of her current students.

 

“The students, families and staff are definitely what made teaching at Clearview such an amazing experience,” said Lembeck. “I immediately felt at home and that I belonged. I will miss being part of such a close-knit community.”

 

Her retirement plans include traveling, spending lots of time with family and friends, babysitting her grandkids and “living” on the golf course.

 

“When walking into Julie’s room, one will experience a variety of engaging activities,” said Rutar. “There are songs, chants, poems, etc. that students participate in every single day. Julie has such an active yet managed classroom. Her students, as well as the staff, adore her.”

 

 

Saupe has been a licensed school nurse for District 742 for 25 years, the past 16 part time at Clearview. 

 

“I think my favorite thing about Clearview is the sense of community,” she said. “I’ll miss the amazing staff and the families and students I work with.”

 

After retirement, she hopes to travel more, read the stack of books she’s accumulated, try new recipes, and work with the wool she’s collected from their sheep.

 

“Linda comes to Clearview to ensure students are safe,” said Rutar. “She takes pride in her work and providing a safe environment for students and staff.”

 

 

Tschida graduated from Hamline University in 1983 with a BA in Psychology and an elementary teaching license. She began her teaching career in Brainerd, and has spent the past 32 years teaching for District 742, 31 of them at Clearview.

 

She will miss the family atmosphere at Clearview, having built many strong relationships with the staff. She enjoys that she’s come to know many families who are part of the Clearview community, and in some cases, has taught the next generation of students from those families.

 

“Having spent most of my career at Clearview, I have experienced many different teaching philosophies, classroom configurations and programs, but the one constant that I have always felt here is a deep caring and respect from the staff members for the students and staff alike,” Tschida said.

 

Her main reason for retiring at this time is so she can help with daycare for her grandson. She’s also looking forward to relaxing and spending time with all the members of her family.

 

“Jonette is such a kind person and cares so deeply about every child,” said Rutar. “She works hard to help every student and ensures that students get what they need during their school day. She builds incredible relationships with every child.”

 

 

Wakeman worked as a bookkeeper in the business office at St. Benedict Center until her son was born, after which she was a stay-at-home mom for six years until starting her career at Clearview. Before that, she was a physician’s assistant in Sauk Rapids. 

 

She has worked at Clearview for 27 years, beginning as a classroom paraprofessional and then moving to the office area in 1999. Along with office duties she’s worn many hats, including attendance, lunch accounts and even nursing.

 

“I’ll certainly miss the staff, parents and especially the students after I retire,” said Wakeman. “Since my son and daughter attended Clearview, it has been fun to see their friends’ kids come through here.”

 

She is looking forward to not setting her alarm and doing things at the spur of the moment. In August, she’s taking an Alaskan cruise and seeing Mt. McKinley. She has two granddaughters she’s excited to spend more time with and a wonderful husband, son, daughter and daughter-in-law. She is truly blessed and in her ‘happy place.’

 

“Mary has been at Clearview for many years and knows all of the children and their families,” said Rutar. “She takes great pride in creating a welcoming environment at Clearview, and loves to laugh and have fun. She will be missed by everyone.”