Retiring GCPS Teachers, Educators Recognized

Gwinnett County Public Schools recognized 435 veteran educators and support staff as the school year ended. The retirees collectively contributed 11,233 years of their lives to education and 8,471 years to Gwinnett schoolchildren, according to information provided by the school system.

More than 43 percent, or 186 retirees, spent their entire careers in the classroom, school office, cafeteria, a bus or shop. One retired after 50 years in education; 180 had 30 years or more service in education; 15 invested 40 or more years in education.

The Gwinnett retirees represent seven principals, veteran central office leaders, longtime support staff members, and many administrators, classroom teachers, counselors, and media specialists.

“I would like to personally thank each of our retiring employees for their service to Gwinnett County Public Schools, to our community, and most importantly to our students," said GCPS Supt./CEO J. Alvin Wilbanks in a press release announcing the names of all the retirees. “Each and every one of these individuals made a difference through their contributions. While they are closing a chapter in their lives, their legacy will continue as our school system builds on all they have accomplished to serve students next year and in the years to come,” he said.

This year’s retirees from Duluth schools and their years of service include:

Patricia Alston, paraprofessional, Chattahoochee Elementary School, 19 years in education, 10 years in Gwinnett.

Vicki Bauer, eighth grade language arts teacher, Duluth Middle School, 30 years in education, 20.5 years in GCPS.

Wanda J. Bennewitz, gifted mathematics teacher, Hull Middle School, 32 years in education, 30 years in Gwinnett.

Jerry Bradford, parking lot attendant, Duluth High School, 15 years in education, all in GCPS.

Debbie Bush, gifted education teacher, Chattahoochee ES, 32 years in education, 25 years in Gwinnett.

Kay Collins, music teacher, Chattahoochee ES, 32.4 years in education, 22 in Gwinnett.

Carolyn Cremer, gifted mathematics teacher, Duluth MS, 26.4 years in education, all in GCPS.

Ruth Currie, school nutrition program worker, Duluth MS, 13 years in education, all in GCPS.

Dianne DiDio, assistant principal, Hull MS, 26 years in education, 24 years in Gwinnett.

Marilyn Gates, third grade teacher, Chattahoochee ES, 35 years in education, 25 years in GCPS.

Pamela B. Gilbert, media clerk, Harris Elementary School, 26.4 years in education, all in Gwinnett.

Margaret E. Gonzalez, teacher, Berkeley Lake Elementary School, 22 years in education, eight years in Gwinnett.

Angela Guthrie, teacher, Mason Elementary School, 40 years in education, nine years in Gwinnett.

Joy Hall, gifted education teacher, Chattahoochee ES, 33 years in education, all in GCPS.

Mary Sue Jenkins, administrative clerk, Duluth HS, 11.5 years in education, all in Gwinnett.

Debbie Kittinger, teacher, Berkeley Lake ES, 34 years in education, 20 years in Gwinnett.

Leigh Kosater, speech and language pathologist, Monarch School, 31 years in education, two years in Gwinnett.

Michael Lyons, local school technology coordinator, Chesney Elementary School, 29.6 years in education, 20.6 years in GCPS.

Susie Magee, special education teacher, Chattahoochee ES, 32.5 years in education, 27.5 years in GCPS.

Joe Marelle, health and physical education teacher, Duluth HS, 31 years in education, all in GCPS.

Dr. FA McLeod, principal, Berkeley Lake ES, 26 years in education, all in Gwinnett.

Mary Ann Meeks social studies teacher, Duluth HS, 28 years in education, 25 years in Gwinnett.

Elizabeth Ann Morrison, school nutrition program worker, Duluth MS, 14.7 years in education, all in Gwinnett.

Julie L. Mumpower, teacher, Berkeley Lake ES, 34 years in education, 17 years in GCPS.

Valerie Murphy-Brown, special education language arts teacher, Duluth HS, 34 years in education, 17 years in GCPS.

Cheri Nix, assistant principal, Chesney ES, 31.5 years in education, all in Gwinnett.

Gail Payne, school nutrition program assistant manager, Mason ES, 24 years in education, all in GCPS.

Nancy P. Phillips, counselor, Duluth HS, 30.7 years in education, all in Gwinnett.

Pam Pidgeon, teacher, Harris ES, 31 years in education, 27 years in GCPS.

Paula Pittenger, Spanish teacher, Duluth HS, 23 years in eucation, 20 years in Gwinnett.

Vivien Scott, special education teacher, Duluth HS, 20 years in education, 12 years in GCPS.

Rose Shtrulis, ESOL teacher, Duluth HS, 34 years in educatin, 16 years in Gwinnett.

Carol Mack Smith, paraprofessional, Berkeley Lake ES, 27 years in education, 24 years in Gwinnett.

Linda Stewart, special education paraprofessional, Hull MS, 18 years in education, all in Gwinnett.

Bunny Taplin, family consumer science teacher, Duluth HS, 36 years in education, 21 years in Gwinnett.

Karen Thompson, language arts teacher, Hull MS, 22 years in education, 19 years in GCPS.

O’Lynn Vossen, ESOL teacher, Hull MS, 15 years in education, 10.5 years in GCPS.

Rhiette Weiner, special education teacher, Hull MS, 26 years in education, 20 year in Gwinnett.

Priscilla Woods, family consumer science teacher, Hull MS, 26 years in education, 24 years in Gwinnett.

Congratulations to all the retirees!