PUSD bids farewell to 47 retiring elementary teachers

Poway Unified School District is bidding farewell to 47 of its elementary school teachers who have decided to retire.

Teachers who have been with the district at least 30 years were asked to reflect on their careers. Six chose to share their reflections. All other elementary school teachers who notified the district of their retirement by May 15 are also being recognized.

Retiring teachers at other levels were recognized in previous articles.

► Sally Brown is retiring after 36 years in the district, most recently teaching first grade at Stone Ranch Elementary School, which she joined as a founding faculty member and initially taught kindergarten.

Brown said she began her career in PUSD when it was opening a new program called Extended Student Services. She was one of the first ESS supervisors at Deer Canyon Elementary and involved in implementing the ESS program that is now at each elementary school. She also opened the new Parent Participation Preschool Program at Chaparral Elementary School and later taught at Pomerado and Rolling Hills elementary schools. Brown also served on many PUSD committees.

Brown earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies/child development and California Teaching Certificate in elementary education at California State University San Marcos.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher,” Brown said. “As a child, I used to line up my stuffed animals in my bedroom and practice ‘teaching’ them. As I grew older, I had many teachers who were an inspiration to me by helping me to love learning, and I wanted to be able to do that as well.

“I felt early on that teaching was going to be a career where I could truly enjoy going to my job every single day — and that has proved to be very true,” she said. “It has more than exceeded my expectations!”

She said one of her most rewarding moments was being voted “Teacher of the Year” by her Stone Ranch colleagues. “It is so lovely to be recognized for a job that I absolutely love to do every day,” she said. Brown added that when students discover something fun and new for themselves that is also rewarding. Another favorite was last year when invited to see her former Stone Ranch kindergartners graduate from Del Norte High.

As for her retirement plans, Brown said, “I am really looking forward to throwing my alarm clock away! We live in Poway and plan to stay in the area. We have lots of family and friends that live close. I have a stack of books waiting for me to read, and plan to do some traveling, gardening, crafting and spending lots of time watching my new little grandbaby grow.”

► Brian Karadashian is retiring after 34 years in the district, the past 28 at Westwood Elementary School where he most recently taught third grade. He previously taught at Painted Rock Elementary School and over the years advised the student council, safety patrol and other groups.

A few years ago his children’s historical novel, “A Flag in the Window,” was a finalist for the San Diego Book Awards and was named a Mamie Eisenhower Library Project Selection.

Karadashian earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from San Diego State University and his master’s in education policy from Stanford University.

Brown said he wanted to become a teacher after taking an education class as an elective during his undergraduate years. It required classroom observations and he was assigned to a sixth grade class at an elementary school. “I had so much fun and enjoyed the kids so much, that I decided that was what I wanted to do with my professional life,” he said.

He said there have been obvious and subtle changes to the profession on many levels during his career. “In terms of trends, education is cyclical and what’s fashionable today will be replaced soon enough by fashions from the past,” he said.

While Karadashian said he did not have a specific special memory to share, he said, “I will always hold dear many wonderful memories from my students and from the wonderful people I’ve worked with.”

As for his retirement plans, Karadashian said he plans on devoting the bulk of his time to writing children’s historical novels. He also plans on volunteering at Westwood Elementary because “after 28 years I won’t be able to stay away for good!”

► Sue Scheffers is retiring after 34 years in the district, with the last 16 at Deer Canyon Elementary School where she most recently taught first grade. Scheffers said for all 34 years she has been an itinerant teacher of the visually impaired/orientation and a mobility specialist, which meant she taught visually impaired students at 34 of PUSD’s 39 campuses. She has also taught first grade for 16 years. Scheffers recently received a “Special Education Excellence Award.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy and master’s degree in special education (visually handicapped) from San Francisco State University.

“I enjoyed playing school as a child and all my jobs have involved teaching others,” Scheffers said. This included teaching swimming, gymnastics, waterskiing and aerobics.

Scheffers said she enjoyed teaching special education and regular education because she saw both sides of the career field. “I loved teaching my blind students skills they used for the rest of their lives and I enjoyed teaching reading to first graders — again a skill they used for a lifetime,” she said.

“When I started teaching, there were no copy machines, computers, iPads, cell phones, internet or white boards,” she said. “Instead, we had ditto machines, carbon paper, typewriters, filmstrips and chalkboards. The technology has taken off and taken over education. Teachers are expected to keep up with the constantly changing technology, which often is done on their own time.

“Parents also used to respect teachers a bit more and didn’t question your expertise like they often do now,” Scheffers added.

Regarding a special memory, Scheffers said she became a foster parent to one of her blind students and the girl became part of her family.

As for her retirement plans, Scheffers said she and her husband has a property management company that will keep them busy. They plan to travel during non-vacation times and enjoy time at their “beautiful” lake house up north. “We plan to split time between Northern and Southern California,” she added.

► MaryBeth Schrepferman is retiring after 33 years in the district, with the past nine at Painted Rock Elementary where she most recently taught fifth grade. She previously taught at Valley, Sunset Hills and Canyon View elementary schools plus Twin Peaks and Mesa Verde middle schools.

She also was a PFT rep, team leader, TLC governing board member, teacher trainer and presenter for parent rights. Her honors have included being named a PUSD Mentor Teacher, to the Middle School Literacy Council, “Teacher of the Year” at Mesa Verde Middle School and recognition as a social studies teacher in San Diego County.

Schrepferman earned her bachelor’s degree at Indiana University and her master’s degree in curriculum development at San Diego State University.

Schrepferman said she became a teacher because “I wanted a job where I could use my creativity and passion to help others and have fun!”

As for it meeting her expectations, she said, “I wouldn’t change a thing! I have loved each grade I’ve taught: K-8, but particularly fifth and eighth grades, where I’ve spent most of my career.”

Regarding changes in education over the years, Schrepferman said, “I am certainly more aware now than I was at 22 that we all show up with our own story.”

She added, “I am so grateful to have chosen this career and to have had the privilege to work in PUSD. I have met many wonderful families and now call over 2,000 kids my family.”

As for her retirement plans, Schrepferman said she will continue teaching yoga and being a sales consultant for Rodan and Fields skin care. “I am exploring new challenges,” she said. “I intend to volunteer, to work with preteens and teens in some capacity, train a service dog to help me in these endeavors and to travel.”

► Jack Erb is retiring after 33 years in the district as an itinerant instrumental music teacher at multiple schools. These included Los Peñasquitos, Garden Road, Valley, Morning Creek, Midland, Pomerado, Highland Ranch, Canyon View and Shoal Creek elementary schools plus Bernardo Heights and Meadowbrook middle schools.

“I was privileged to be part of the teams that opened Morning Creek, Highland Ranch and Shoal Creek,” Erb said. “I am the only band and orchestra teacher Highland Ranch and Shoal Creek have ever known. This June will complete my 31st years of teaching band and orchestra at Pomerado.”

In addition, Erb has been an adjunct lecturer in the San Diego State University School of Music and Dance since 1998, where he teaches music education and liberal studies students.

Erb’s honors have included receiving the 2018 SDSU School of Music & Dance Outstanding Alumni Award, the 2017 CMEA Elementary Music Specialist “Educator of the Year” Award for California and 2015-16 “Favorite Faculty Award” from the residential students at SDSU. He also received the California Congress of Parents, Teachers and Students “Continuing Service Award” in 2005, was named CMEA Southern Border Section Elementary Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year twice (2001-02 and 2004-05), named “Teacher of the Year” at Shoal Creek Elementary School in 2000 and three times named “Master Teacher” for SDSU music education student teachers (1991, 1993 and 1994).

Erb earned his bachelor’s degree in music education and teaching credential from San Diego State University and his master’s in education curriculum and technology from the University of Phoenix.

“I believe that music is a significant part of the whole child,” Erb said. “A child’s life is incomplete without music. ... I have had the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of roughly 15,000 students (during my career). I’ve had the privilege of being part of family legacies of five and six children in the same family on multiple occasions. That gives me great satisfaction.

“About 15 years ago, I had the first child of a former student and I have had dozens more since,” he said. “I joke that I need to retire before I have the grandchild of a former student!”

While some students only study music for one year, he said many others continued to play for several and one of his former fifth grade students who earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate in music now shares an office with him at SDSU.

“It is my steadfast belief that music education offers richness and depth to the human experience and teaches so much more than just musical skills,” Erb said.

As for his retirement plans, Erb said he will continue teaching at SDSU, but “also hope to spend more time traveling with Theresa, my wonderful wife of 33 years who has put up with me having concerts just about every year on our (June 1) anniversary.”

► Nancy Moiseve is retiring after 31 years in the district, the past 20 teaching second grade at Midland Elementary School. For the first 11 years she taught special education at Midland, but when the class was closed, Moiseve said, “I made the decision to move to regular (education) so I could stay in the Midland community that I grew to love so much.”

For the first four years of her career she taught a fourth/fifth grade special education class in Chino, California.

She was named the 2015-16 “Teacher of the Year” at Midland Elementary.

Moiseve earned her bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University plus her teaching credential, special day NSH credential and master’s degree in education at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

“My mom had been a special ed aide for several years and as I was graduating from high school, her stories of these children in need peaked my interest,” Moiseve said. “I volunteered in her class several times and instantly found my passion.”

She said the profession “absolutely” met her expectations. “I went into this career knowing I could not change or help every child in need, but I would do my best to be there for the support they needed.”

Moiseve said during her career she noticed changes in family dynamics due to both parents working plus technology taking away time children used to spend outdoors.

“I have seen a decline in communication skills among younger children these days due to excess screen time,” she said. “However, the children of today are being taught skills I would have never dreamt they could grasp at this age. I feel they will be ready for careers in our constantly changing world.”

Moiseve said her favorite memory is when a former special day class student who was a custodial substitute at Midland recognized her. “(He) told me he had always remembered me because I helped him in a sad home life,” she said. “He then informed me that he carried his picture I gave him of he and I to every foster home he was in. I hugged him and cried all the way home with joy! That’s what teaching is all about!”

As for her retirement plans, Moiseve said she loves living in Little Italy and plans to travel, catch up with old friends, walk her dog a lot, read more “and take plenty of naps!” She also will help her “amazing team partners” at Midland when they get stressed because “I know that feeling all too well!”

Also retiring are:

► Betty Herman has taught in PUSD for 42 years, most recently second grade at Rolling Hills Elementary School.

► Julienne Stouder has taught in PUSD for 33 years, most recently first grade at Park Village Elementary School.

► Karen Moffat has taught in PUSD for 32 years, most recently kindergarten at Westwood Elementary School.

► Felice Simmonds has taught in PUSD for 30 years, most recently fifth grade at Park Village Elementary School.

► Christie Georgi has taught in PUSD for 29 years, most recently kindergarten at Creekside Elementary School.

► Lynne Harvey has taught in PUSD for 29 years, most recently fourth grade at Monterey Ridge Elementary School.

► Laurie Harmon has taught in PUSD for 29 years. For the past two, she has been in the district office assigned to working with all grade levels in its Poway Professional Assistance Program. Her most recent classroom position was at Painted Rock Elementary School.

► Erika McMenamin has taught in PUSD for 29 years, most recently second grade at Painted Rock Elementary School.

► Therese Gosen has taught in PUSD for 28 years, most recently transitional kindergarten at Garden Road Elementary School.

► Linda Nishiguchi has taught in PUSD for 28 years, most recently kindergarten at Chaparral Elementary School.

► Dianne Tettamble has taught in PUSD for 28 years, most recently third grade at Sunset Hills Elementary School.

► Jeffrey Chaifetz has taught in PUSD for 27 years, most recently fourth grade at Morning Creek Elementary School.

► Janine Churchill has taught in PUSD for 27 years. Her most recent assignment was as a speech pathologist at Shoal Creek Elementary School.

► Deborah Dye has taught in PUSD for 27 years, most recently third grade at Deer Canyon Elementary School.

► Stephanie Pinney has taught in PUSD for 27 years, most recently second- through fifth-grade students in the special day class, part of the special education program at Chaparral Elementary School.

► Debbie Lewis has taught in PUSD for 25 years, most recently fifth grade at Chaparral Elementary School.

► Havena Marks has taught in PUSD for 25 years, most recently fifth grade at Adobe Bluffs Elementary School.

► Jan Patterson has taught in PUSD for 24 years, most recently first grade at Painted Rock Elementary School.

► Wendy Vanvechten has taught in PUSD for 24 years, most recently second grade at Canyon View Elementary School.

► Mary “Kristi” Allmen has taught in PUSD for 23 years, most recently first grade at Garden Road Elementary School.

► Marla Crumley has taught in PUSD for 22 years, most recently first grade at Del Sur Elementary School.

► Junko Kajita has taught in PUSD for 22 years, most recently second grade at Rolling Hills Elementary School.

► Marlene Prickett has taught in PUSD for 22 years, most recently first grade at Midland Elementary School.

► Blanca Araujo has taught in PUSD for 21 years, most recently first grade at Valley Elementary School.

► Rebecca Bronson has taught in PUSD for 21 years, most recently first grade at Deer Canyon Elementary School.

► Marilyn Coson has taught in PUSD for 20 years, most recently third grade at Garden Road Elementary School.

► Linda Harris has taught in PUSD for 20 years, most recently first grade at Highland Ranch Elementary School.

► Kathryn “Kathy” Moore has taught in PUSD for 20 years, most recently fifth grade at Midland Elementary School.

► Kathleen “Kathy” Ryan has taught in PUSD for 20 years, most recently first grade at Adobe Bluffs Elementary School.

► Margarita Daellenbach has taught in PUSD for 19 years, most recently fourth grade at Stone Ranch Elementary School.

► Elizabeth “Liz” Kane has taught in PUSD for 19 years, most recently second grade at Monterey Ridge Elementary School.

► Mary Jo Utterback has taught in PUSD for 19 years, most recently in the After School Education and Safety program at Valley Elementary School.

► Carol Fedo has taught in PUSD for 18 years, most recently second grade at Morning Creek Elementary School.

► Nancy Minerva has taught in PUSD for 16 years, most recently second grade at Del Sur Elementary School.

► Lori Williams has taught in PUSD for 16 years, most recently in the preschool located at Westview High School.

► Bonnie Sheldon has taught in PUSD for 14 years, most recently first grade at Highland Ranch Elementary School.

► Diana “DeeDee” Ramin has taught in PUSD for 13 years, most recently second grade at Painted Rock Elementary School.

► Jaylan El-Sherif has taught in PUSD for 12 years, most recently as a resource specialist in the special education program at Midland Elementary School.

► Gina Pini-Savoie has taught in PUSD for 12 years, most recently fourth grade at Pomerado Elementary School.

► Kimberley “Kim” Maneval has taught in PUSD for 10 years, most recently as a resource specialist in the special education program at Adobe Bluffs Elementary School.

► Theresa “Terry” Baker has taught in PUSD for nine years, most recently fourth grade at Highland Ranch Elementary School.