Board honors long-serving staff at retirement recognition

The Nippersink SD 2 Board of Education opened its meeting by recognizing multiple retiring staff members and thanking them for decades of service. The board read tributes for Brad Ziggler, who began at NMS in the 1993–94 school year and was credited as a math teacher, department chair, union leader and coach; Julie Brooker and others with more than a decade of service were also acknowledged.

Colleen Brown, who the board said has taught for 35 years, spoke at length about her career, describing teaching as “about people. It's about children.” Brown recalled working with many principals and families and reflected on the long-term relationships formed with students, saying she leaves “with gratitude, pride, and memories that I'll carry forever.” Other staff and principals highlighted retiree contributions and shared anecdotes about summer gatherings and school events.

The tributes included a range of personal remembrances and informal remarks about post-retirement plans. The board then moved into regular reports and business.