Malta Elementary Celebrates Three Retirements and One Moving On

There was a party in the cafeteria of the Malta Elementary School on Wednesday, May 26, at 3:15 p.m. The kids had left school for home, and the teachers started to migrate to the cafeteria to honor four of their co-workers. Some of the family members of the honorees were there as well. Punch and coffee were served with a decorated cake that read thanks for your service.

Barb Buechler, Mary Mangis, Jackie Schwartz, and Corey Clark were being honored. The first three retiring, and Mr. Clark moving on to a different school district.

Barb Buechler started teaching in Malta in 1985, straight out of college. To put that into perspective, Malta Elementary Principle Corey Clark said, "Barb, I was born in 1985." That statement got a big laugh out of the group of teachers that had assembled to celebrate.

"I have taught almost every grade, from first grade to sixth. I'm still going to be around to substitute teach," Buechler said.

Mrs. Buechler has taught a countless number of students, and some of those students' kids as well. She has seen five different principles come and go.

When asked what she was going to do during her retirement, she said, "I have two sisters that are also retired teachers. We currently have three trips planned, and more to come after that. Also, I will be a grandma for the first time in November. I am really looking forward to that part of my life."

She added that the young teachers that we have now and that are coming up are so good at using and teaching with the Chromebooks and all of the new technology.

"We are in good hands." She said.

Mary Mangis has been a cafeteria employee at the elementary school for the past 16 years. She said she started part-time and then went full-time, hired by her sister.

Mangis said, "I will miss all of the teachers and most of the kids." When asked what her plans were, she said, "I'm going to relax and do yard and garden work this summer, and then just get out and enjoy life."

Jackie Schwartz has been a custodian at the school for six years. She said, "I'm not going to miss the work, but I'll miss the teachers."

She says her post-retirement plans are, "To be a full-time grandma."

Elementary Principle Corey Clark is not retiring. He's heading home. Next year, he will be the Superintendent at the Geraldine School where he grew up.

He said, "It's a small school where they have just one administrative position. So I will be wearing many hats. The Superintendent, High School, and Elementary Principle being the main ones."

In his speech to the teachers, he said, "It takes a village to run a school and make sure everything goes well. I want to thank all of you for jumping in and helping when needed. You have a good village here."