Nine Educators Retire

By Anna Reinalda | Posted July 18, 2024

The retirements of nine Montgomery Township School District faculty members were announced at the June 11 Board of Education meeting.

The retiring teachers were announced by their respective principals, and Superintendent Mary McLoughlin spoke on the retirement of Patty Leicht, the Business Administrative Assistant in Pupil Services. “Throughout her career, Patty has exemplified the true essence of professionalism in her job,” McLoughlin said. “Every task she undertook and every challenge she faced was met with steadfast commitment to excellence.”

Left to Right: Patty Leicht, Tim Leicht, Lisa Chedid and Karin Lee

Mrs. Leicht’s retirement announcement came in tandem with her husband Tim Leicht, who is retiring from teaching architecture and engineering after 18 years. Together the two took on mentoring the Montgomery High School robotics team. “Patty and her husband Tim have planned, organized, and chaperoned all the robotics team events, and are heads of the robotics team family,” McLoughlin said. “Your legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of knowing you.”

More important than the many awards and accolades earned through the robotics team, “is the impact that Tim has had on thousands of students.” Many students return after their first year of college to tell Mr. Leicht how well he prepared them for their college classes. Pino-Beattie awarded each high school retiree with a graduation tassel, to mark their “graduation” from the Montgomery High School faculty.

Also “graduating” was Lisa Chedid, who just completed her eighteenth year teaching chemistry. “Lisa began her career during a time of transition in the department,” Pino-Beattie said. “Lisa led the department in both curricular and pedagogical reformation. Her patience, skills and empathy for all learners helped make MHS the wonderful school that it is.” Chedid served as an advisor to numerous student clubs including Doctors of Tomorrow. Chedid’s three children have come up through the school system and moved on to successful careers in academics and medicine, and made Chedid a grandmother, a role which she looks forward to giving her full attention.

German teacher Karin Lee also celebrated her final year at the high school, after forty two years as an educator. Lee began her career at Lawrence High School, before coming to Montgomery in 2005. During her time at MHS, Lee organized a relationship through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) which allowed exchange students to immerse themselves in the German language and culture. Lee is so beloved by her students, Pino-Beattie said, that one of her AP classes threw her a surprise party. In her retirement, Lee, an avid plant lover, will continue nurturing her treasured garden.

Advertisement

Upper Middle School Principal Raquel Estremera-Rivera presented the retirements of Lynn Carro and Alison Shelofsky. Carro, a Supplemental Reading teacher, has been an educator for sixteen years, and began at UMS in 2008. “Her passion for literacy has been a guiding light, helping students see themselves in the stories they read,” Estremera- Rivera said. “She is not just a teacher, but an advocate, mentor, and resource for During her time at UMS Carro served as an advisor for the Unified Program, which serves to bring together students of varying abilities to collaborate on arts, athletics, and academics. In this role, she “ensured that all students felt connected to the community.”

Left to Right: Lynn Carro and Alison Shelofsky and Lisarenee Benz

Alison Shelofsky has been a Special Education teacher at UMS since 2016. Estremera-Rivera lauded her for “embod[ying] the ideal middle school approach: challenging our students, holding them accountable for their progress, while supporting them to achieve their full potential.” Shelofsky dutifully attended the Camp Mason overnight field trip every year, and was devoted to her students. “She never missed an important event for her students, attending plays, concerts, and sporting events,” Estremera- Rivera said. “Demonstrating to them the importance of mutual support.” Shelofsky was known at school for her upbeat and playful teaching style, and her kindness.

The Lower Middle School principal Lisa Romano announced the retirement of Lisarenee Benz, a sixth grade science teacher. Romano said Benz was “destined to become a superior educator” owing to her strength and adaptability. “Lisarenee was able to tap into her transformation superpower while at the same time always fostering an environment that nurtures the development of everyone so that they could discover and unleash their own potential.” Benz’ background began in engineering, and her analytical mindset carried into her teaching. Starting as the president of the PTO when her children were Montgomery students, she generated more and more momentum in the school system until finally she became a teacher in various math and science middle school classes.

Village Elementary principal Susan Lacey bid farewell to two paraprofessional teacher instructional aids Arlene Maroli and Maria Sgammato. Maroli served 18 years as paraprofessional in Montgomery. Lacey described Maroli as an adaptable guide to both teachers and students and a role model to her colleagues, she has a reputation for putting matters into perspective and always lending a helping hand. Maria Sgammato has been a paraprofessional for 21 years. “She’s one of those people you want on your team,” Lacey said. Her colleagues know her as patient, understanding, and committed. An unnamed colleague said of Sgammato, “My goodness, I tear up writing these words because I will truly miss her. She works so incredibly with all our kids with a balance of warmth and firmness. She always exudes a quiet strength and composure.” Sgammato raised three sons in Montgomery, and is now a grandmother. She looks forward to spending time with her family.

Left to Right: Arlene Maroli and Maria Sgammato and Pete Rosenberg

The principal at Orchard Hill Elementary School, Dan van Hise, announced the retirement of Pete Rosenberg. Van Hise called Rosenberg an “OHES legend,” after teaching second grade for 21 years. Before starting second grade at OHES, Rosenberg had a wildly varied history ranging from resource rooms, to Language Arts in Jersey City, to a staff member at Camp Harmony for nearly fifteen years. “Pete’s superpower is his ability to let his students drive their own learning,” van Hise said. “His classroom is one of inquiry, discussion, resilience, and therefore lots of student-led ‘aha’ moments.” Rosenberg demonstrated an ability to take himself out of the learning process as much as possible, and trust his students to arrive at solutions on their own. Rosenberg’s retirement will consist of spending time with his children, traveling to see family, and even some substitute teaching.

Superintendent McLoughlin thanked all the retirees for their years of service.