2018-2019 Retiree Dinner

Lisa Joiner, Vandegrift High School English Language Arts teacher, 29 years in education and 2 years in LISD Memorable moment: "After only two years of teaching and coaching in Leander ISD at Vandegrift High School, I have so many wonderful memories to take with me into retirement. I will specifically cherish the time I've had working with such passionate, caring, and dedicated professionals who made everyday at VHS enjoyable and rewarding. I will sincerely miss the daily interactions and relationships I've shared with our amazing faculty, especially the teachers in our rockin' English department, and the talented and inspiring coaches in our Lady Viper Basketball program and our Track and Field program. I've had an absolute blast being around so many hard working and fun people everyday! I also want to give a huge shout out to administrators Charlie Little, Drew Sanders, Jonathan Jones, and department head Kirsten Mulligan for hiring a "seasoned" teacher/coach to be a part of the Viper family. I will be forever grateful to each of them and appreciative of their servant leadership and support. I am truly humbled and blessed to be retiring from my teaching and coaching career at Leander ISD and Vandegrift High School. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making my last two years in education my best two years! Go Vipers!!"

David Joyner, Wiley Middle School Science teacher, 16 years in education and 2 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I have been privileged to work with an awesome science team at Wiley MS."

John Benavides, LISD Transportation Department Bus Operator, 10 years in education and 10 years in LISD Memorable moment: "All the students that rode in my school busses from Leander Middle, Rouse and Glenn high Schools, I will always remember them. My bilingual students from Baghdad Elementary, the school I drove for most of my career, I always look forward to seeing and greeting them every morning in both English and Spanish."

Belinda Anthens, Bagdad Elementary School Special Programs teacher, 26 years in education and 11 years in LISD Memorable moment: "My memories in LISD will be mostly of the wonderful relationships/friendships I've formed with students and colleagues. I will always cherish my friendships with fellow teachers at Bagdad Elementary and the LISD team of district dyslexia specialists. A memory that stands out is the time one of my 5th grade students realized that a novel we were reading together related to an experience her great grandmother had as a young child in Nazi Germany. This student had always struggled with reading and very seldom did her reading homework or read on her own. It wasn't until she made the connection to this novel and saw her great grandmother's experiences in the main character of the novel that she realized how history could come to life through a good book. It changed everything for her..she wouldn't put the book down. After finishing that novel, she would ask me for more books with similar themes and I noticed she was walking the halls with a book in her hand. And then came the STAAR test....and her reading score was off the charts! But, of course, the most important change for her was her new desire to learn more about the world through books. As they say, a spark can ignite a fire....that fire for learning can last a lifetime! That's what teaching has been all about for me!"

Donna Brady, Winkley Elementary School Principal, 29 years in education and 13 years in LISD Memorable moment: "The opportunity to open a new campus, hire the entire staff, and build the culture was truly a gift that I will always treasure. Our first group of students that began kindergarten with us will graduate this year. I can't wait to celebrate their complete Leander journey. Winkley Elementary is a great place to learn!"

Bette Whitney, River Ridge Elementary School Art teacher, 25 years in education and 13 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I have spent over a decade teaching in LISD and will always have fond memories of my students, their parents and fellow staff members."

Deborah Belle, Mason Elementary School Kindergarten teacher, 14 years in education and 14 years in LISD Memorable moment: "My first year of teaching was in Kindergarten. I was hired in the middle of November and was the class's third teacher for good reason. The class was so challenging that even Tom Glenn stopped by to offer encouragement. He hoped that my first year experience would not cause me to leave the teaching profession. I was touched that he would take the time out his busy schedule to visit with me. The good news is that I was 51 years old when I started teaching. I knew enough and was strong enough to not let a room full of 5 year olds run me out of town. Teaching is my second career and my chosen mission. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to make a difference for my students and their families. Thank you LISD!"

Denise McClendon, Plain Elementary School Special Programs teacher, 15 years in education and 15 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Working as a teacher was my lifelong goal, so being able to achieve that goal in this amazing district was a double blessing. I am so thankful for my administrators, my coworkers and most of all, my wonderful students!"

Donna Reynolds, Block House Creek Elementary School Dyslexia teacher, 34 years in education and 15 years in LISD Memorable moment: "When I began working in Leander in 2004, I was so impressed with how nice and friendly everyone was. It felt like a huge family. Everyone truly cared for one another. I felt so welcome when I began working at Steiner Ranch Elementary and worked with an awesome team of 2nd grade teachers. For the last 13 years, I have been a dyslexia teacher at BlockHouse Creek and worked with an awesome group of educators as well who support and care for one another."

Patricia Stoneham, Cypress Elementary School Special Education teacher, 21 years in education and 15 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Of course, given the honor to teach our children and then being able to spend 15 years in the same classroom - until this week!"

Lindie English, Mason Elementary School Dyslexia teacher, 26 years in education and 16 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I've spent the last 16 years of my teaching career in Leander ISD. I've had the privilege of serving as a general education teacher, a special education teacher, and a dyslexia specialist. I am grateful for each of these opportunities, as I've met many wonderful people, gained some of my very best friends, and worked with so many amazing children! I will always have very fond memories of my time in LISD."

Kathryn Roush, Reed Elementary School Supplemental Reading Program teacher, 32 years in education and 17 years in LISD Memorable moment: "My lasting memory is the beautiful relationships that I have built with children, colleagues and families."

Timothy Egle, Wiley Middle School Math teacher, 36 years in education and 18 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I have had the pleasure of working with many colleagues who have been excellent educators and friends. It will be them that I will miss the most."

Dawn Allen, Leander High School Athletic Trainer, 29 years in education and 19 years in LISD Memorable moment: "The first day of school in 2000, standing in the gym being warmly welcomed by the athletes of THE Leander High School and enjoying every moment since!"

Robin Karkosh, Reed Elementary School 1st Grade teacher, 29 years in education and 19 years in LISD Memorable moment: "All the wonderful, amazing people I’ve met. I have been able to establish many life-long relationships because of LISD."

Melinda Prather, Whitestone Elementary School Special Education Adaptive PE teacher, 26 years in education and 19 years in LISD Memorable moment: "The best memory I have is getting to work with my best friend, Barbie Teets for the past 18 years."

Charlotte Edwards, Giddens Elementary School PE teacher, 20 years in education and 20 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I started teaching at Whitestone Elementary where my children were attending school. As they got older and moved on to Leander Middle School and eventually Leander High School, I remained at elementary school."

Karen Gossett, Henry Middle School Science teacher, 27 years in education and 20 years in LISD Memorable moment: "During my 20 years in LISD, I have made life-long friendships with so many people!"

Ladonna Handox, Cedar Park High School Business teacher, 32 years in education and 20 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Celebrating the privilege of serving the first 20 years of Cedar Park High School history was a day I will always remember!"

Toni Fiero, LEO Center Special Education teacher, 21 years in education and 21 years in LISD Memorable moment: "It brings me great joy when I encounter a former student at their place of work! This tells me the student has acquired the knowledge and skills to be a contributing member of our community and are taking first steps to create the life they want."

Sue Gutmann, Leander High School Attendance Clerk, 21 years in education and 21 years in LISD Memorable moment: "Besides seeing my own three children graduate from LHS, I have made lifelong friends with many of my long time co-workers. I have also enjoyed weddings and celebrations of former students. These will always hold a special place in my heart."

Lisa Thorne, Westside Elementary School Supplemental Reading Program teacher, 21 years in education and 21 years in LISD Memorable moment: "I was interviewed by Tom Glenn back in June 1982 for a 1st grade position at the old Giddens, now LEO. Tom asked me why he should consider hiring a "Tea-sip" like me since I was a UT graduate, Texas Ex. I stammered and tried to compose an answer and then he burst out laughing. He proudly showed me his Aggie ring and said he was just having some fun. I must have done alright as I was given the job."