Cheshire School Board Honors Retirees

Five Cheshire educators will more than a century of combined experience will be retiring when the school year ends this month.

The Board of Education recently recognized their contributions to the school system at their monthly meeting last week.

The retirees are:

Penny Else — Substitute Service Coordinator — 27 years

"Penny has provided exceptional service to the Cheshire Public Schools in this role by tailoring the teaching assignments to the specific strengths and needs of each substitute teacher, as well as individual teacher requests. Most recently, she has attended our Substitute Teacher Orientation programs to help acquaint new substitute teachers to the process and procedures of substitute teaching in Cheshire. Penny retires after 27 years of excellent service to the Cheshire Public Schools district."

Jane Johnson — Media Technician — 35 years

"Jane began her career with Cheshire Public Schools in 1966 at Norton School, where she was a second grade teacher through 1968. Seven years late, Jane volunteered at the Norton School library for four years and then accepted a part-time position as a media technician at Highland School in 1980, where she remained until her retirement."

Ellen Prior — Elementary School Teacher — 34 years

"Ellen began her career with Cheshire Public Schools in 1979 as a fourth grade teacher at Highland School and was a Special Education teacher at Highland after her fourth grade position. Ellen was transferred to a fifth-grade teacher at Highland in 1991. In 1995, Ellen transferred to Doolittle School, where she taught fifth grade, and then transferred to grade three, where she remained until her retirement."

Stephen Proffitt — Special Education Supervisor — 21 years

"Stephen began his career with Cheshire Public Schools in September 1992 as the assistant principal of Highland School. In 1997 he was appointed principal of Darcy School and in August of 2000 he was transferred to the position of Highland School principal. In 2006, Stephen was appointed Special Education Supervisor, Grades 7-12 and has remained in that position until his retirement. Throughout his tenure with the Cheshire Public Schools, Stephen was commended for his participation in Administrator in-services, the Director of Pupil Personnel Services Interview Team and scorer of B.E.S.T Special Education portfolios."

Proffitt will continue his career as a consultant for the state Board of Education.

Sharon Weirsman — Doolittle School Principal — 21 years

"Sharon began her career in Cheshire Public Schools in 1992 as assistant principal at Dodd Middle School. In 1998, Sharon was appointed principal of Doolittle School, where she has remained until her retirement. Sharon was recognized by the New England League of Middle Schools for her participation in the Annual Conference in 1994. She has participated as a member of many communities, including Teacher Evaluation, Curriculum, presenter at Summer Administrator Inservice sessions and interviewing teams for Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Pupil Services."