California R-I School District faculty and staff attended a teacher appreciation luncheon Friday, April 28, at Sweet Chipotle Event Center.
After California R-I Board of Education Treasurer Derek VanLoo announced the three new board members, Superintendent Daniel Williams spoke about the impact teachers have on their students' lives. Building administrators then presented certificates honoring staff with their service time.
The luncheon ended with a presentation of plaques to retiring teachers.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Teachers chat Friday (April 28, 2023,) during a California R-I School District teacher appreciation luncheon at Sweet Chipotle Event Center.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — California R-I School District faculty and staff converse Friday (April 28, 2023,) during a teacher appreciation luncheon at Sweet Chipotle Event Center.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Retiring teachers pose for a photo Friday (April 28, 2023,) with their plaques after the teacher appreciation luncheon at Sweet Chipotle Event Center. Pictured in the front row, from left, are: Lorrie Brauner, high school MO-Options and Reach teacher, Vicki Glenn, Brenda Hickman, food service personnel, and Julia Potter, high school marketing teacher. Pictured in the rear row, from left, are: Dana Barr, high school English and ACT Prep teacher, Steven Stock, high school special education teacher, and Jane Bishop, middle school science teacher. Stacey Karabegovic, another district retiree, is not pictured.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Jane Bishop, sixth-grade science teacher at California Middle School, poses with a certificate honoring her 30 years with the California R-I School District on Friday (April 28, 2023,) after a teacher appreciation luncheon at Sweet Chipotle Event Center.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Amy Higgins, from left, fifth-grade English teacher, middle school Assistant Principal Kenny Goans and Judy Hurt, central office administrative assistant, are seen with certificates Friday (April 28, 2023,) honoring their 25 years with the California R-I School District after a teacher appreciation luncheon at Sweet Chipotle Event Center. Kenny Goans is holding a second certificate for Christiane Goans, not pictured, a middle school counselor.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Stacy Allee, left, elementary school computer and technology teacher, and Debbie DeVille, high school custodian, are pictured with their certificates Friday (April 28, 2023,) honoring their 20 years with the California R-I School District after the teacher appreciation luncheon at Sweet Chipotle Event Center.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — Nancy Abernathy, from left, a fourth-grade teacher, Assistant Superintendent Matt Abernathy, Scott Loring, elementary behavior interventionist, and Michael Baepler, high school biology and ACT Prep teacher, pose with their certificates Friday (April 28, 2023,) honoring their 15 years of service with the California R-I School District after the teacher appreciation luncheon at Sweet Chipotle Event Center.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — California R-I staff with 10 years of service smile for a photo Friday (April 28, 2023,) after a teacher appreciation luncheon at Sweet Chipotle. Pictured, from left, in the front row: Maggie Luebbert, middle school art teacher and elementary/middle school gifted teacher, Clifton Sampson, middle school custodian, Danielle Morrow, third-grade teacher, and Pat Taylor, elementary school special education teacher. Pictured, from left, in the rear row: Amy Howard, second-grade teacher, Amanda Zbinden, seventh-grade social studies teacher, Robb Hartman, high school in-school suspension and credit recovery teacher and high school physical education teacher, and Darrell Bolin, eighth-grade science teacher. Absent staff who were also recognized for 10 years of service were Patty Birdsong, Jason Gatlin and Kelli Williams.
Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — California R-I staff members with five years of service pose for a photo Friday (April 28, 2023,) after a teacher appreciation luncheon at Sweet Chipotle Event Center. Pictured, from left, in the front row: Tom Phillips, maintenance, Lisa Motley, sixth-grade social studies teacher, Dyan Ingram, fifth-grade science teacher, Karen Distler, eighth-grade reading teacher, and Amy Hoecker, sixth-grade math teacher. Pictured, from left, in the rear row: Elementary school Assistant Principal David Austin, Mike Moon, district technology coordinator, Katie Lewis, elementary school special education teacher, Lauren Biggs, kindergarten teacher, Rhonda Waters, fourth-grade teacher, and Brandon Kliethermes, eighth-grade social studies teacher. Not pictured is Kelly Combs, elementary school speech pathologist.