Six Veteran Educators Retire From School District 146

TINLEY PARK, IL — District 146 said goodbye to six veteran educators who retired at the end of the school year.

They were honored at celebration last month.

The retirees are:

• Patty Champ, a 34-year veteran of the district who taught third grade. She was named to the district's hall of fame.
• Sue Pasquarella, who served as a paraprofessional for 25 years.
• Paula Bravo, who left the district after 29 years of service. She taught third grade at Kruse Education Center.
• Margi Strombeck, a special education teacher at Central Middle School who was with the district for 18 years.
• Ron Gonser, Fulton's principal since 2005, retires at the end of June. He has been with the district for 14 years, and was instrumental in developing the early learning program.
• Nancy Schwab, too, will retire later this month. She began her 16-year career with the district as Memorial School's principal and became director of curriculum in 2007.

“These educators are perfect examples of what I picture when people ask what makes District 146 so great,” said Superintendent Jeff Stawick in a statement.

Community Consolidated School District 146 is comprised of Central Middle School, Fierke Education Center, Fulton School, Kruse Education Center, and Memorial School. Students from Tinley Park, Orland Park, and Oak Forest attend District 146 schools.