THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE recognized three retirees during a recent meeting. Front row, from left, School Committee member Kim Baker Donahue, School Committee Chair Kristen Grieco Elworthy, Summer Street School second grade teacher Deb Guenard and Summer Street School secretary Karen Roberto. Back row, from left, School Committee member Jamie Hayman, Superintendent Tom Geary, School Committee member Kate DePrizio and School Committee Vice Chair Jim Dillon. Missing from photo is LMS seventh grade math teacher Nancy Meaney (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The School Committee recognized and commended three retirees for their service to Lynnfield Public Schools during a recent meeting.
Superintendent Tom Geary said Summer Street School secretary Karen Roberto has “done it all at our elementary schools for over 25 years.”
“Karen started as a kindergarten paraprofessional at Huckleberry Hill and then transferred over to the same role at Summer Street,” said Geary. “She even served as a special education one-to-one paraprofessional before moving to the main office role as the clerk and then as the secretary. In the office, she is one of the first faces that happy families are greeted by when they come into the school. She is the person who always has happiness in her voice, knows every single parent by name and always has candy or lollipops for little siblings who come across her desk, and some of the grown-ups too. She is always calm in the chaos, a master of multitasking and, most importantly, the guardian of teacher sanity.”
Geary said Roberto’s “genuine kindness and humor as well as her tremendous organization abilities will be missed by everyone.”
“Although we are sad to see her leave, we know this will allow Karen to have more time for her passions, which includes cooking and spending quality time with her family, especially her grandchildren,” said Geary. “Thank you for all that you have done for our schools Karen. It is truly appreciated.”
Geary said Summer Street School second grade teacher Deb Guenard began her tenure working for the district during the 1986-1987 academic year.
“Deb has been a force and a leader covering so many different areas for us,” said Geary. “She is a wealth of knowledge whether it is in curriculum, teaching, coaching, mentoring or just being a good listener. But what is unparalleled is her intense desire to help every student and teacher reach their fullest potential. Her enthusiasm for teaching and learning is contagious. Her passion consistently shines through in every lesson and anytime you walk into her classroom, you know that you are seeing the best of the best.”
Geary said Guenard has “taken on countless initiatives in the district, including serving as a leader of our new teacher mentoring program for many years.”
“She has put her heart and soul into making sure that every new teacher has felt prepared and, most importantly, not alone in their first year,” said Geary. “But more so, she has also served as an informal role model, mentor and friend for so many of us over the years. Her presence, guidance and, of course, her love of all things pink will be missed. Like Karen, retirement is going to allow Deb to spend more time with her family, especially her two grandchildren. Our loss is surely their gain. Thank you for all you have done for our students, families and staff Deb. It is truly appreciated and it has been an honor to work with you.”
A previous School Committee presented Guenard with the Dorothy Presser Award at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious award recognizing the hard work, dedication and commitment that Dorothy Presser gave to the Lynnfield Public Schools,” Guenard wrote in an email sent to the Villager after she was presented with the Dorothy Presser Award. “I am humbled that many of my colleagues took the time to nominate me because they are all equally deserving of this award. It has been a pleasure working with such caring, dedicated and compassionate people throughout my career. Summer Street School is a special place and has been a second home to me. I am grateful to everyone who has touched my life while teaching here, especially my students.”
Geary said Lynnfield Middle School seventh grade math teacher Nancy Meaney was unable to attend the School Committee’s meeting.
“Nancy came to Lynnfield as a sixth grade student herself and was of a proud graduate of the high school,” said Geary. “Nancy has been teaching math at Lynnfield Middle School since 2014. She taught grade 6 and most recently moved up to grade 7. Additionally, Nancy has led our middle school math team for the last five years. She has been a terrific fit for these positions and she will be missed tremendously at the middle school. Thank you so much for your service and dedication Nancy. It’s appreciated.
After the School Committee presented gifts to Roberto and Guenard, the meeting’s attendees gave all three retirees a thunderous round of applause. The School Committee also gave the three retirees a standing ovation.
“Thank you both for coming,” said School Committee Chair Kristen Grieco Elworthy.