Retiring Region 15 staff members were recognized at the June 12th Region 15 Board of Education meeting.

“We are recognizing a collective 290 years of educational experience in Region 15,” shared Superintendent Joshua Smith, Region 15 Superintendent. “As a graduate of Pomperaug High School and attendee of Region 15 schools, my path in education was shaped by the educators in Region 15 and it is remarkable to recognize these educators, many of whom have remained in our district for their entire educational career. Thank you for everything you have done for our schools and for Region 15,” he continued. 

Wishing you a wonderful retirement! Congratulations!

Pictured L-R: Patty Hahn, Rich Szymanski, Lois Byron, Mary Mahakian, Linda Hughes, and Karen Kutzner.

Retirees and years of employment in Region 15: 

LOIS BYRON has worked for 28 Years in Region 15 and will be retiring in October, 2023. She worked as a general assistant at Gainfield Elementary School (GES) and Long Meadow Elementary School (LMES), Principal's Secretary at LMES and is currently now the Data Coordinator at Pomperaug High School (PHS).

DENISE GUERRERA has worked for 32 Years in Region 15 as a Special Education Instructional Assistant at Pomperaug Elementary School (PES).

LINDA HUGHES has worked for 39 Years in Region 15 as PHS Music Teacher and previously worked at Memorial Middle School (MMS)

KAREN KUTZNER has worked for 28 Years in Region 15 as a PHS School Counselor.

MARY MAHAKIAN has worked for 37 Years in Region 15 as a Rochambeau Middle School (RMS) English Teacher.

NANCY MARTLAND has worked for 20 Years in Region 15 as a MMS Math Teacher, previously worked as MMS SIPP Tutor.

ELIZABETH MIERZEJEWSKI has worked for 23 Years in Region 15 as a RMS Science Teacher.

MARLENE REEL has worked for 20 Years in Region 15 as a PHS Math Teacher and also completed student teaching and internship at PHS.

RICHARD SZYMANSKI has worked for 35 Years in Region 15 as a PHS Science Teacher and Golf Coach

PATRICIA HAHN has worked for 20 Years in Region 15 as a LMES Kindergarten Teacher.

KAREN KAPLITA has worked for 8 Years in Region 15 as a nurse at Middlebury Elementary School (MES).