2017-18 Retiree Dinner

Retiree Dinner

Retiree Dinner

Retiree Dinner

Catherine Robinson, Steiner Ranch Elementary School principal, 24 years in education and 3 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I realized very soon after beginning my service in LISD that this district truly lives the commitments we espouse. Our Guiding Documents are more than words - they are the Principles that bring our promises to students and to each other to life."

Retiree Dinner

Norene Merson, Wiley Middle School science teacher, 23 years in education and 10 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I will always remember how easygoing and kind the people are here. This was especially noticeable during my hiring process. It's so different from Chicago."

Retiree Dinner

Ann Acosta, Cox Elementary School 5th grade teacher, 24 years in education and 12 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Working for a district that my grandchildren were a part of, seeing them every day and being a big part of their education. All the friends I have made and being able to work with some wonderful people that are dedicated to helping others. I am also happy I was able to be a part of Leander ISD and end my career with Leander ISD."

Retiree Dinner

Lisa Nucci, LISD College and Career Readiness director, 29 years in education and 12 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Enhancing the college-readiness culture in Leander ISD by developing the AP Program and adding the OnRamps, Dual Enrollment, AP Capstone, IB DP at VHS, School Day SAT/ACT and College Coach Programs. These efforts are evidence of the great people I was able to collectively work with and will cherish their professionalism and friendship."

Retiree Dinner

Karen Fenter, Whitestone Elementary School dyslexia teacher, 20 years in education and 18 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I have enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship of my fellow dyslexia specialists. We have spent many hours together studying, training to become Academic Language Therapists, taking tests, analyzing data and working to help struggling readers gain confidence and to become successful readers. As iron sharpens iron, we have become close friends and allies as well as experts in our field. I have enjoyed learning from them and, in turn, sharing with them what I have learned."

Retiree Dinner

Julie Sides, Giddens Elementary School SRP teacher, 24 years in education and 19 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I enjoyed the community of LISD. My husband and I would buy season tickets to the football games, and I would tell him about all the students on the field that I had back when they were in kindergarten."

Retiree Dinner

Marilyn Theisen, Cedar Park High School Physics teacher, 19 years in education and 19 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Surprised to have worked with two former students who are currently teaching in LISD; definitely time to retire."

Retiree Dinner

Michele Groomes, Leander High School Business teacher, 36 years in education and 21 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Taking part in graduation each year. Being able to congratulate my children on stage at their graduation from Leander High School."

Retiree Dinner

Susan Johnson, Cedar Park High School Special Education teacher, 34 years in education and 21 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Many teachers go their whole careers without being part of a brand-new school. I enjoyed being a part of the very first staffs at Steiner Ranch Elementary as well as Laura Bush Elementary."

Retiree Dinner

Lynda McFarland, Cedar Park HIgh School administrative assistant for assistant principals, 21 years in education and 21 years in LISD Memorable moment: "The majority of my LISD career was at Cedar Park High School. It was a different experience every day. In the office, I taught life skills and job skills, had opportunities to learn alongside students, and from students. I had food prepared by culinary arts students; received flowers from horticulture students; have a swing made by building trades students; watched presentations from English students; heard music and songs from band, choir and foreign language students; attended multiple events for theater, dance, talent and sporting; and so much more not listed. I am blessed to have met so many people that enhanced my life, both at work and in my personal life."

Retiree Dinner

Cathy Seiler, LISD executive administrative assistant for superintendent, 32 years in education and 22 years in LISD Memorable quote: "Working in HR and the superintendent’s office, I didn’t often interact directly with students. However, as an LISD employee, I was encouraged to volunteer on campuses, which I did through the mentorship program for about eight years, and more recently, as a literacy partner. Whether I was listening and supporting a middle school student or reading to an elementary student and talking about their books, that time was special, for them and for me. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate in these programs, feeling in some small way that I made an impact and was doing my part putting students first."

Retiree Dinner

Linda Ziemann, Cedar Park High School math teacher, 24 years in education and 24 years in LISD Memorable moment: "My lasting memories are little milestones that occurred in the classroom. I loved hearing, “I get this now,” or “This makes sense,” or when a student would say to a classmate, “Let me show you how.” I loved seeing their smiles when then came into the classroom, but more importantly, when they left with a smile. Some students would even say, “Thank you,” when leaving the class. They told me jokes, and talked about their families, pets, vacations and future goals. All these “little” interactions added up to a fulfilling career, which made coming to school and being a teacher, day after day, a joy."

Retiree Dinner

Marla Busch, LISD coordinator of secondary intervention, 26 years in education and 25 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I will always appreciate the way our district was dedicated to doing what is best for students, families and staff. It was a great place to work, and I will always be proud to have been a part of this outstanding district. I will miss being a part of the family atmosphere that was dedicated to doing right and good by all. My co-workers were the best, and my time at LHS, CPHS and admin provide me with wonderful, enduring memories. And the students...I will forever cherish my opportunities to work with students - my greatest joy! I will never forget the look on the faces of students from Twilight when they completed their course work and were ready to graduate - pure joy! Thank you, LISD, for the opportunities you provided me."

Retiree Dinner

Eva Guardiola, LISD foreign language coordinator, 34 years in education and 34 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Back in the early eighties, we had an hour for lunch at LHS. I left campus with another teacher to have lunch, and I locked my keys in the car. We got a ride back to school from the restaurant manager so that we wouldn't be late to class. I told Minnie LaFuentes (principal's secretary) what had happened. About 45 minutes into class, Mr. Rouse showed up at my door with my car keys. He went, found my car and brought it back for me!"

Retiree Dinner

Marsha Tomlinson, Leander High School family consumer science teacher, 42 years in education and 37 years in LISD Memorable moment: "The relationships and laughter with my students; teaching them not just cooking and nutrition, but about being the best person God intended them to be; loving them through their "high school crazy" stages; letting them "have it" when they got out of line; loving it when they bought into my "queen" delusion; reading and re-reading the little notes they gave me; getting to know some really fine teachers who shared a love of kids, etc., etc. The 37 years I spent here have been the BEST. I hope every teacher coming up through the ranks can experience the same. The key is to just love your little darlings into shape!"

Sarah Hyde, LISD coordinator of advanced/gifted programs, 30 years in education and 25 years in LISD Memorable moment: "My most precious memories of LISD will always be my years spent with QUEST students and QUEST colleagues."

Joan White, Bagdad Elementary School SRP teacher, 31 years in education and 29 years in LISD Memorable moment: "My lasting memory of my time in Leander ISD is not just one particular moment. I will always treasure the sense of family I felt when I was first hired as a third grade teacher at Faubion Elementary. At that time, Faubion was an open-concept school, and I was very hesitant to accept a position at a school that did not have walls between the classrooms. Thankfully, I did take the position, and it was the best decision of my school career. Faubion wasn’t the newest or the prettiest school in LISD, but it was all heart. I have lifelong friendships from the 10 years I spent at Faubion. When Bagdad opened in 1999, I was fortunate to experience the same feeling of community there for the past 19 years."

Beverly Alsup, Technology Service Elementary campus tech, 32 years in education and 30 years in LISD Memorable moment: "My favorite memory is having the support of the entire district in helping me organize the largest team in the Komen Austin Race for the Cure. My battle with breast cancer became a family affair and that family was Leander ISD. From the Superintendent, to administration, to teachers and to the tech department, I knew I had the backing of the whole district."

Joe Ciccarelli, Four Points Middle School principal, 34 years in education and 34 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Ron LaFevers challenged Eric Haug to a 1-1 basketball game, and then, because Ron, he had to go the extra step to tell Eric he could pick anyone else he wanted to, and Ron would beat them both! Ron's mouth was writing checks his body could not cash. He had failed to remember that he had hired a former UT Lady Longhorn Basketball player and that she had been an All-American. I don't recall that Ron scored a point."

Peggy Gallagher, LISD Federal Programs specialist, 34 years in education and 34 years in LISD Memorable moment: "LISD always felt like home to me. I had wonderful teachers when I was a student and had the privilege of working with some amazing and talented people. I learned a great deal from these amazing co-workers."

Barbara Burnett, Cypress Elementary School nurse, 28 years in education and 28 years in LISD Memorable moment: "My memories will be of the many children that has walked the halls of Cypress Elementary and of the generations of children I have cared for. My heart fondly will remember them and their families. My co-workers of the past 28 years...I will miss them, however, I will have many continuing lifelong friendships."