School Celebrates Retiree’s and Service Awards

We wish to thank the following for their years of service to the District and wish them well on retirement.

Ronna English – 27 Years in District
Life and Career History:
When Ronna began working for the school it was a job of convenience, she had
the same schedule as her kids and summers off with them. Ronna quickly
realized that she loved her time working with kids. Ronna worked as a general
paraeducator for 2 years, computer lab para for 10 years and then in the BD
classroom for approximately 10 years. The last few years Ronna has been doing
behavior support at Strawberry Hill for special education. This school year the
Compass Room was developed and Ronna became the Behavior Tech,
handling all behaviors in the school. From preschool to BD, Ronna feels like she
has been a part of so many important stages for the kids and she has seen
changes in those students that she will hold close forever!
Favorite Memory:
“The memories that I cherish the most are all the hugs and happy little faces.
Nothing can turn a day around like a kiddo popping into your room, running up
for a hug and then stopping at the door to yell back "I love you Mrs. English!". My
other favorite memory might be the student that stopped me in the grocery store
to excitedly share that he had a job and was making $14 an hour! The pride on
his face definitely replaced the memory of all the colorful names he used to call
me!”

Carmel Manternach – 20 Years in District
Life and Career History:
Carmel and her husband George have 7 kids together and 13 grandchildren.
Carmel has been with the District for almost 20 years. The first four years were
with the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition. Carmel’s early career
was as an Animal Health Technician. Carmel went to Vet Tech School in
Nebraska where she grew up. Carmel’s most rewarding career/hobby was
raising terriers for 35 years. She currently has three Soft Coated Wheaten
Terriers.
Favorite Memory:
“I would say my favorite memories of working at the School were the summers.
Walking the plank at West Middle School and telling ghost stories. Most recently
I would consider working with the student interns in the summer. They always
made me smile and usually taught me more than I taught them.”

Lori Schulte – 32 Years in District
Life and Career History:
Lori began her career as a student teacher in third grade at Viola Elementary. In 1992,
she started her first teaching job at Viola in third grade. Lori had her biggest group of
students that year. Lori has spent 32 years teaching for the Anamosa School District as a
third and second grade teacher. Most recently, she has been teaching Title Reading for
Strawberry Hill and St. Patrick's. In March of 2024, Lori became a grandmother for the
first time. Lori looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren and traveling with
her husband, Dan.
Favorite Memory:
“I have worked with some outstanding educators and children in my years at Anamosa.
My favorite memories are when students reach out upon graduation and tell you that you
made a difference in their lives and also having the little ones tell you they "love you." All
three of my boys graduated from ACSD, so I have lots of wonderful memories from all of
their activities, as well. Winning the cowbell will always be a favorite! Anamosa Schools
will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Jolene Bierbrodt – 31 Years in District
Life and Career History:
Jolene moved to Anamosa when she was in sixth grade. Jolene had never ridden a bus
to school, so going to Viola on a bus was great fun for her. Jolene graduated from AHS
and went to college at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant. Jolene graduated one
week and married Al the next week. Jolene and Al live in Anamosa and raised three boys
that graduated from AHS, Jeff, Jake and Dan. Jolene owned Happy Face Preschool for
six years. Jolene was head teacher at Anamosa Headstart Center for 1 1/2 years and ran
a daycare from her home for a year. She was very unsure if she wanted to be a teacher.
The next year Jolene started working as a paraeducator at Anamosa Schools and did
that for four years. During her third year, she realized that she would love to be teaching
in her own room. Within a couple of years, a Kindergarten position opened up and Jolene
was lucky enough to get the job. During that year, Mrs. Conmey, School Counselor, knew
numbers were down for Kindergarten but had started working on a plan for a new class,
Begindergarten, Pre-K, Alternative K. They took it to the school board that April and it
passed the vote to offer a chance for kids not quite ready for Kindergarten. Jolene taught
Begindergarten for 24 years. In her 25th year, Jolene taught Preschool. During this last
year Jolene has spent much time making a very hard decision. “It is with much joy for all
the kids that have touched me through the year and many tears for the talks I have had
with the adult kids that I have taught, I have made the decision to retire. I will miss the
hugs and stories.”
Favorite Memory:
“About my fourth year of teaching Begindergarten during conference time, one of the
dads came in and said, “Mrs B, this is really strange”. I agreed because this dad was one
of my first students who called me Mrs B. We made it through the conference and the
school year went great. Move ahead several years to when another of his daughters was
in preschool, he was picking her up and he said, “Mrs B, are you ever going to retire?”
How fun it is to have former students and their kids that still have a desire to talk with you”

Dan Kiley – 36 Years in District
Life and Career History:
Dan grew up on a small dairy farm in north central Iowa near Livermore. Dan
graduated from Twin Rivers High School in Bode, Iowa in May 1977 and received
an Associate’s degree in Building Trades from Iowa Central Community College
in July of 1978. Dan received a BS in Industrial Technology from Iowa State
University in 1982. Dan’s first teaching job was at Grand Community School
District in Boxholm, Iowa from 1982-1985. Grand Community School District
consolidated with Ogden Community School and Dan taught there from 1985-
1987. Dan was a part time student and part time employee at Iowa State for one
year before coming to Anamosa in the fall of 1988 and has been a Blue Raider
ever since. In Dan’s spare time, he was a sky diver for many years until he was
diagnosed with an irregular heart beat 9 years ago and had to hang up his wings.
Dan has restored and custom-built farm toys for about 25 years and plans to be
able to do more of that in retirement. Dan plans to stay in Anamosa, he considers
it his home. “This community never ceases to amaze me in the countless ways
that it supports our schools, our students and their families. I want to continue to
be a part of that. I have had the privilege to work with a lot of really great people
and I will miss my fellow coworkers and students. But it’s time to go. Thank you
ALL!”
Favorite Memory:
“Just being able to work with all of the new equipment that has come into our
shops over the years. It has been fun to learn and to teach the new stuff to my
students.”

Darcy Jacobs – 35 Years in District
Life and Career History:
Darcy has worked in the Anamosa High School kitchen for 35 years. It is the kids
who have kept Darcy motivated to be here this long. “I also work with the best
team. I will miss them all.”
Favorite Memory:
“My favorite memory from working at the high school was when we had the snack
shack open. I ran an ice cream machine and sold Little Debbie snacks. The kids
could buy a cup of ice cream with 2 toppings for 25 cents! I loved the one on one
time I got to spend with them. Sometimes I learned more than I wanted to!!”

Service Awards:

5 Years
Emily Allmandinger
Sherri Burhite
Thomas English
Robin Flattery-Timmins
Amanda Reck
Ellen Recker
Megan Pfiffner
Angela Schwendinger
Jill Tjaden
Mary Ann Yount