Ridgefield Schools Bid Fond Farewell To Retiring Faculty, Staff

In a bittersweet ceremony Monday night, the Ridgefield School District bid farewell to nine faculty and staff members who will retire at the end of this school year.

“We’re delighted and sad at the same time,” Superintendent Deborah Low said. “Our list of retirees is very impressive, and I wish them all congratulations.”

The Board of Education presented each retiree with a book to bear his or her name that will remain in the library of the school at which they last worked.

The principals of each school gave a brief presentation of each retiree, highlighting their careers at the Ridgefield Schools.

Joanne McCormick is an instructional paraprofessional at Branchville Elementary for 37 years, teaching special education to children with disabilities.

“Her dedication to her job is inspiring,” said Branchville Principal Jason McKinnon. “She inspires us all to perform to her level.”

He and the Board presented McCormick with the book, “The Terrible Plop” by Ursula Dubosarky, which McCormick brought home with her for now to give a read-through.

East Ridge Middle School English teacher Nancy Gibson is leaving behind a great career of 33 years teaching literature and grammar.

Having started the 1920s festival and a number of poetry readings and “slams” at the Middle School, Gibson is also the faculty advisor to “Doorways,” at one time ranked as one of the top five middle school literary magazines in the country.

Principal Marty Fiedler said he was incredibly glad that Gibson “brought grammar back” to the curriculum.

Gibson was delighted to see her name would be in “Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, and Cattle” by Gail Damerow.

Two other East Ridge teachers who were unable to make the ceremony were Edward Lenoce, a math teacher of 33 years who will have a hiking book, “Becoming Odyssa” in the library in his name and Marie Sieller, a nine-year teacher of Family and Consumer Science, whose name will be in the book “Youth Strength Training.”

Low herself presented Liz Smith, the current principal of Ridgebury Elementary School with the book “Across The Alley” by Richard Michelson, a book about bridging differences.

Smith has been bridging differences during her 22 years at Ridgefield schools, first as an art teacher and then as principal in 2006.

“She brings great perspective to the principal’s office,” Low said. “Liz has worked tirelessly on behalf of the students, and she leaves behind a wonderful legacy.”

Her work in bridging differences comes about, Low said, from an emotional intelligence, multiple perspectives and a willingness to collaborate.

Ridgefield High School teacher Cleo Villamarin, a world language teacher for 26 years, leaves behind a Spanish program at the school that is heavily involved and one of the best in the state.

“Cleo’s professional and instructional skills have been a benefit to thousands of students over the years,” said High School Principal Jeffrey Jaslow.

Villamarin has taken students overseas to different countries in Europe and has been an integral part in “Ridgefield, Now We’re Talking,” a local television show about school issues.

“The best teachers teach from the heart, not the book.” Jaslow said. “And it’s clear that Cleo has been one of those.”

Villamarin will have her name in the book, “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Marianne Shaffer.

At Scotland Elementary School and other Ridgeifeld schools, AnneMarie Surfaro-Boehme has taught first grade for 34 years and will be stepping down after this one.

The 1998 Ridgefield Teacher of the Year and the executive producer and creator of “Ridgefield, Now We’re Talking,” Surfaro-Boehme “assures everyone that, although she’s retiring as a teacher, she will not be disappearing,” according to Scotland principal Mark Solomon.

A letter from Katherine McGerald spoke highly of her children’s experience with Surfaro-Boehme and of the lasting impact her instruction will have.

Her name will be in the classic book, “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper.

Head custodian Jordan Carrison of Scotland will also be leaving behind 25 years at the school.

“Jordan took great pride in the operation and appearance of Scotland school,” Solomon said. “Everything had to be perfect.”

Coming from a diverse career background from electronics and audio production, Carrison plans to settle in North Carolina with his wife in the coming years.

“Jordan truly gave his heart and soul to the school,” Solomon said, presenting Carrison with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling.

The faculty and staff legacies left by these long-time members of the Ridgefield community will certainly be felt for years to come.