Albion Central School District recognized its retiring employees and announced the 2021-2022 Educator of the Year at its annual reception held prior to the Board of Education meeting on Monday, June 6.
The ceremony started with the recognition of board member and current board president Kathy Harling who resigned from her position after spending five years as a member.
Twelve district employees were then honored for their dedication to Albion schools. Serving all three schools and countless events, Kevin Smith Jr. is retiring as AV Equipment Technician after 22 years of service.
From the elementary school, five retirees combined for 105 years of service. Those employees include Dawn Arnold (kindergarten teacher, 30 years), Patricia Levandowski (first grade teacher, 17 years), Joan Adduci (monitor, 25 years), Eileen Whiting (monitor, 12 years) and Tracy Barrile (monitor, 21 years).
The middle school says goodbye to Jodi Shaffer (library media specialist, 31 years), Julie Norman (typist, 30 years) and Dawn Brower (teacher aide, 17 years).
High school retirees for this year are Bradford Nickerson, Jr. (spanish teacher, 31 years), Kim Nesbitt (art teacher, 18 years) and Linda Lewis (secretary, 30 years).
All twelve retirees filled the campus with kindness, compassion and care and will be sorely missed. The district wishes all a long and happy retirement.
The Educator of the Year was also recognized at the June reception. Retiree Nickerson, commonly referred to as señor, was honored with the distinction. He wrote in his application to teach in Albion that, “I strive to keep learning Spanish fun. My classes are creative and well-organized.” Anyone who has had the privilege to see his classes in action knows that he fills students with creative lessons and he deeply cares for all. In addition to his regular classes, Nickerson advises the high school Spanish Club, has served as Language Department Chair and has chaperoned numerous trips around the globe.
The annual reception was held in-person with honorees, families, friends, administrators and board members. All retirees received a gift and a book to be dedicated in their name to one of the school’s libraries.
