Celebrating Stillwater Schools' 2025 Retirees
SCANDIA, Minn. -- May 8, 2025 -- For their years of service to students and Stillwater Area Public Schools, the impactful careers of 25 retirees was recently celebrated at the Partnership Party.
Held at Rustic Roots Winery on Wednesday, May 7, the retirement recognition celebrated a class of retirees including teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, support staff, and school leaders. In all of these roles, they helped build a warm and welcoming school community and impacted the lives of countless students.
Six of the 26 retirees held 30 or more years of service in the District, while Katherine Papke reached an outstanding 34 years as a teacher at Rutherford Elementary School. Overall, the group averaged over 20 years of service and combined for over 508 years of experience in the District.
Grateful for each of these amazing individuals for all they have done to support students and families throughout their careers, Stillwater Area Public Schools thanks them for making a difference in the lives of children and the Stillwater community.
Lisa Bonhus: 24 years - Afton-Lakeland Elementary Teacher
Sarah Carlton: 19 years - Community Education
Cheryl Fiedler: 26 years - Afton-Lakeland Elementary Teacher
Jeff Fosse: 13 years - Technology Support
Betsy Foster: Five years - Andersen Paraprofessional
Lee Gillespie: 18 years - Stillwater Middle School Teacher
Ann Hansen: 31 years - Afton-Lakeland Elementary Teacher
Diane Johnson: 30 years - Afton-Lakeland Elementary Teacher
Gretchen Kaiser: 22 years - Oak-Land Middle School Special Education Teacher
Jon Klein: 24 years - Lily Lake Elementary Custodian
Julie Kostroski: Nine years - Rutherford Elementary Paraprofessional
Mary Leadem Ticiu: 25 years - St. Croix Valley ALC Principal
Melissa Miller: 14 years - Andersen Elementary Health Paraprofessional
Mike Miller: 27 years - Stillwater Area High School Custodian
Margaret Murphy: 25 years - Stillwater Area High School Paraprofessional
Elizabeth Nelson: 32 years - Stillwater Area High School Counselor
Andrew Olson: 32 years - Stillwater Middle School Teacher
Katherine Papke: 34 years - Rutherford Elementary Teacher
Doug Petty: 12 years - Stillwater Area High School Teacher
Kim Schneider: 32 years - Afton-Lakeland Elementary Teacher
Susan Seggelke: 24 years - Oak-Land Middle School Nutrition Services Manager
Christa Sindt: 19 years - Brookview Elementary Teacher
Deb Taylor: 26 years - Human Resources
Julie Vanderstappen: 29 years - Oak-Land Middle School Teacher
Darby Whitehill: 24 years - Stillwater Area High School Teacher
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For more information on Stillwater Area Public Schools, follow the district on Facebook and Instagram @stillwater834.
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