Teachers celebrated the last day of school for Dublin ISD with their own party, filled with laughter, hugs and their fair share of ice cream with an ice cream sundae party Friday, May 19.
They were also presented their end of the year awards.
Elementary employees who received service pins for years of service include: Beth Krey (five years), Stephenie Mendez and Veronica Pantoya (10 years), Leslee Chapman (15 years), D’Ann Bradford and Melonie Curry (20 years), JeriLi Thompson (25 years) and Barbara Jones (40 years).
Intermediate School employees who received service pins for years of service include: Kim Hare and Rebekah Pack (five years), Odilia Gutierrez (10 years) and Kerry Riley (15 years).
Junior high school employees who received service pins for years of service include: Holly Curry (five years) and Susan DiCiccio (25 years).
High school employees who received service pins for years of service include: Ron Luedke, Dara Murphy and Tyler Sattler (five years), Rosalinda Martinez, Vicky Zuniga and Rosa Parra (10 years), Eva Velazquez (15 years), Amy Curtoys (20 years) and Lisa Leatherwood (35 years).
Special Ed employees who received service pins for years of service include: Jessica Grisham (five years).
Administration who received service pins for years of service include: Shannon Ivey-McCarley (five years), Katrina Brister and Craig Parks (10 years) and Melissa Summers (20 years).
A standing ovation was also given for retirees Sara Button who worked for 39 years for DISD, Barbara Jones who worked for 40 years for DISD and Shannon Ivey-McCarley, who worked for five years for DISD and 25 years in education.
Teachers of the Year were also presented.
Elementary Teacher of the Year is Melanie Truesdell, who teaches Pre-Kindergarten.
“This isn’t suppose to happen!” she exclaimed, wiping tears from her eyes as her family surprised her. “I don’t teach a test grade!”
Intermediate Teacher of the Year is Taylor Clayton, who teaches 4th grade.
Jr. High School Teacher of the Year is Marcella Bledsoe, who is a special education teacher.
High School Teacher of the Year is Kaylene Vanbebber, who teaches Algebra I.
Custodial staff was praised at the event by Dublin Athletic Booster Club organizer Ryan Mitchell, who presented them each with a certificate to get four spirit items off of the spirit trailer for the upcoming school year.
“Our facilities look the best and the cleanest anywhere around and it’s because of you ladies,” he said.
Masonic Lodge members presented the Lamar Award to Spanish instructor Rosalinda Martinez.
This year’s employee of the year went to beloved elementary school administrative assistant and retiree Barbara Jones, who received hugs and a standing ovation, along with tears from those in the audience who exclaimed they were going to miss her so much.
Jones is anticipated to come back as a substitute teacher for the next school year.