Saying Goodbye to Good Friends

We have several staff that are leaving us at the end of this school year to take on new and exciting adventures.  We're deeply appreciative of all the time and energy that they have given to the RES learning community.  Please join us in wishing them well with everything in the future.

After 38 years of teaching, including six years of teaching infants and toddlers, special education and preschool students who were hearing impaired in Ohio, Jeanne Agner is retiring from the classroom. Ms. Agner began teaching RES kindergarten the year kindergarten started in Richmond. After Richmond residents voted at town meeting to start half-time kindergarten, Jim Massingham, then principal at RES, came to her EEE classroom in the old school building (the current Post Office building) and asked if she would consider teaching kindergarten. Her response was something like - "I've had four different jobs in five years. I'm not sure if I can make another change." But, she applied for one of the positions and she’s been in kindergarten ever since. When the school year is over, she’s going to enjoy sleeping as late as she wants, then begin exercising so that she can literally kick up her heels!  Ms. Agner is looking into a couple of different opportunities in early childhood education, perhaps locally or at the state level.

She will miss the people and years of students, and thanks everyone for the memories.

Julie Crenshaw is retiring after 37 years as a Registered Nurse, with 25 years in School Nursing and 16 years at Richmond Elementary School. Julie recently stated, "It has been my delight and privilege to be a part of the Richmond Elementary School community. For many years I have been blessed to share children's unique perspective of the world and their 'journeys of discovery' from preschool to middle school. I am so grateful for amazing colleagues and supportive parents. I am looking forward to not setting my alarm clock and spending lots more time with my husband and 3 grandchildren."

Joanna Elliott - After five years here at RES, September will find me teaching art full-time in Burlington at Edmunds Elementary. Leaving RES was a difficult decision to say the least, as it remains true that I have never loved a job more than working here as Richmond's art teacher, and it is not innate to even consider leaving a job that you love. Most of all, I love our students. Your students. Their passion, curiosity, and excitement to learn new skills charges me up to teach each day. Thank you for the privilege to work with them.

Lise Erickson will be retiring after teaching third and fourth grade for the past fifteen years at RES. She has loved teaching so many students over the years, particularly math and science, and bringing them on field trips teaching them Vermont history. Hands-on learning in the classroom has been one of her favorite methods of teaching. She is looking forward to exciting new adventures in the future.

After 20 years in the CESU district, Andrea Greeley will be retiring. She’s been at RES for close to 12 years, and an elementary guest teacher for 8 years before that. She has an education degree, but is not licensed. She has enjoyed working at RES in various grades, as a general and a special paraprofessional, and helping students with math, spelling, speech, and reading. Another fun experience has been participating in the after school Enrichment for All program.  As her husband is retired as well, they plan to do more traveling, visiting their grown children who live out of state. She also wants to do more sewing and quilting, which is a passion for her. She thanks everyone for many great memories made here!

After almost nine years at RES as Head Custodian, Rick Hamilton will be leaving to move with his family to Vero Beach, Florida. Rick’s plans for the future are unclear at this time, however, he has spent 34 years in property services, so expects he will be continuing as a property manager or flipping houses. He will be leaving RES with fond memories of building the RES robot, light up board, and many coat cubbies, as well as having participated in the remodeling of the school a few years ago.

After four years at Richmond Elementary School, and 3 years at MMU, Dani Nelson will be retiring to join her husband in enjoying life in a different way. She is looking forward to gardening, spending time in her pool and hot tub, and enjoying life. 

Elizabeth Rainville, one of our Preschool teachers, has been accepted into a Master’s Program for Speech Language Pathology in Virginia.  Although it was a difficult decision to leave Richmond Elementary School, she feels fortunate to have been given the chance to further her education.  It has been a pleasure for her to work at RES for the past two years and to have been a part of such a wonderful community.  She has enjoyed every minute of it and sincerely thanks Richmond for making her experience at RES so wonderful.

Hilary Redman came to Richmond Elementary School in August of 2014 as the new Farm to School Coordinator. She has spent the past year working with the school and the community in a variety of ways to bring local, interesting, and healthy food into the RES cafeteria, as well as providing students opportunities to connect with food, farms and farmers. As she moves on to new adventures she hopes to remain an active member in the Farm to School program and RES community.