SPS honors retirements, years of service milestones
Posted on 05/19/2022
(SPS) -- The End of Year Assembly was a time to celebrate a number of employees who are retiring from the district, as well as those who have ten or more years of service.

Retiring employees include Tamara Andrews, Kristy Behrens, Deanna Gardella, Elaine Hart, Shirley Mefford, David Sizemore, Christie Stevens, Michelle Spring Taylor, Loretta Thomas and Nancy Toomey.

Five of the retiring employees are from Holmes Park Elementary. Combined, they have more than 150 years of service to SPS.

Deanna Gardella (Holmes Park Elementary) is a true-blue Chieftain who grew up in Sapulpa and attended SPS. During her time at SPS, she was captain of the Ping Pings Dance Team and was a winner of the Miss Sapulpa pageant. Years later, both of Deanna's daughters would follow in her legacy, serving as Ping Ping Captains.

Following graduation from OSU, Deanna returned to Sapulpa where she taught at Woodlawn Elementary, Washington School, and, finally, Holmes Park. Over her 32 years of teaching, she held several positions including teaching 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades, Saturday school, G.E.D. classes, and Title I Reading and Math.

Deanna thoroughly enjoyed her time in the classroom, loved her school family, and made treasured, life-long friends. She educated some 700 students throughout her career.

During retirement, Deanna is looking forward to spending time with her family, including husband, Mike, two daughters, Sarah and Jennifer (who are also educators), sons-in-law, Brady and Colton, and three beautiful granddaughters, Anna, Stella and Addison.

Kristy Behrens (Holmes Park Elementary) began teaching in 1986 at Sapulpa Public Schools. Over her 36 years, she taught 3rd and 4th grade, first at Washington School, then at Holmes Park Elementary.

She will fondly remember being selected Teacher of the Year. She truly appreciates the support and love of her colleagues as she battled cancer, and she is a proud cancer survivor.

Nancy Toomey (Holmes Park Elementary) is the talented and creative art teacher, who has taught throughout the SPS district for 28 years. She taught at many schools including Oakridge, Liberty, Jefferson, South Heights, Jefferson Heights, Woodlawn, Washington School and, finally, Holmes Park.

Nancy will miss her students' hugs and smiles and her supportive co-workers. She will soon marry her fiance, Mike, and the couple will make their new home in Kansas City.

Christie Stevens (Holmes Park Elementary) was the Cafeteria Manager at Holmes Park for 11 years. Prior to that, she worked at Liberty Elementary for 13 years and at Sapulpa High School for three.

She served breakfast and lunch to approximately 700 students and adults daily, and did so with grace, smiles, and teamwork.

Michelle Taylor (Holmes Park Elementary) was a paraprofessional with SPS for 30 years, working at Sapulpa Junior High, Sapulpa Middle School, Jefferson Heights, Liberty Elementary, and, finally, Holmes Park. She was selected District Support Employee of the Year in 2018.

Mrs. Taylor loved working with students, listening to them, and getting to know them. She helped them in every way possible and gave them a hug when they desperately needed one. 

During retirement, she looks forward to traveling, working at her church, fishing, spending time with family and making floral arrangements.

Tamara Andrews (Sapulpa Middle School) joined SPS this school year, but previously taught at Edmond Public Schools for 31 years.

Tamara hopes she's shared her love of numbers and the fun that math can be with her many students so that they may carry it forward.

David Sizemore (Sapulpa High School) taught for five years in the multi-handicapped classroom at Sapulpa High School. He previously worked for 18 years at Tulsa Public Schools.

David's fondest memories are the Thanksgiving and Prom he hosted for his students and their families. He fondly remembers Special Chieftain Day.

He hopes he made a positive impact on his students and taught them to do the right thing and be kind to all humans.

Shirley Mefford (Sapulpa High School) taught math at SHS for 25 years, with the last two years in special education. She says her last two years have been the most rewarding.

Shirley is most proud of the Math of Finance class curriculum she shaped over the last several years.

In retirement, she looks forward to relaxing with her husband on their new deck and taking road trips.

Loretta Thomas (Service Center) joined SPS in 2002 as a paraprofessional serving on special needs bus routes.

Loretta loved her bus kids like her own. One of her co-workers described her as selfless. No matter what is going on with her, she always asks about what is going on in your life. She always made you feel like she really cared about you.

Loretta has been an asset to the transportation department for the last 20 years and she will be missed.

Loretta plans on spending time with her sister, daughter and grandchildren in Texas during her much-deserved retirement.

Congratulations and job well done to our tremendous and talented retirees who made a difference in the lives of so many students! Thank you!

Employees celebrating 10 years of service:
Bailey Bacher
Timothy Beacham
Michelle Benning
Valerie Buck
Brandie Cline
James Dearman
Lesli Finch
Carissa Fuchs
Shannon Groves
Amy Harnish
Jessica Hollander
Kimberly McCallum
Linda McKnight
Brandie Melton
Ruby Miller
Shay Miller
April Roth
Michael Schmidt
Joelle Smith
Kenda Terrones
    
Employees celebrating 15 years of service:
Alison Baker
Julie Baughman
Leslie Bennett
DeEllen Bush
Edelaine Engdahl
Julie Leaton
Danielle Lee
Donna Lewellen
Kay Matney
Ronald Martin
Karen Parks
Rosa Verdugo

Employees celebrating 20 years of service:
Danna Boyce
Natalie Fielden
Kimberly Leonard
Lenasha Maloy
Judith Ramsey
Seth Shibley
Loretta Thomas 

Employees celebrating 25 years of service:
Rebekah Anderson
Kenneth Johnston
Karen Linduff
Barbara Lowe
Shirley Mefford
Belinda Spears

Employees celebrating 35 years of service:

Jon Boyne

Employees celebrating 40 years of service:
LuAnn Luker (it's actually 42 years!)

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