11 Educators Retire From Perkins Schools

At the close of the 2024-2025 school year, Perkins Local School District said goodbye to 11 veteran teachers and staff members. Combined, they had 305 years of experience in the school district.

Briar Middle School was the most impacted building. Four teachers and the building counselor will retire. They are:

History and social studies teacher Joe Taylor taught at Perkins since the 1990-1991 school year. “I just like presenting in class and making a seemingly boring subject – history – fun,” said Mr. Taylor of his experience with students.

Once retired, Mr. Taylor expects to catch up on work around the house and vacation. 

David Zimmerman has been at Perkins Schools for 28 years–three years in special education and 25 as a counselor. He says he will miss the students and his colleagues. “I consider this place my family,” he says. “There is never a dull moment.”

He, too, looks forward to vacationing and enjoying a clear schedule in retirement.

Sixth-grade science teacher Wendy Lippus has been at Perkins Schools for 33 years, including time at Perkins High School, Meadowlawn Intermediate School, and Briar. “I finally get to graduate from 6th grade,” she jokes. A highlight—and cute moment–for her was the Briar staff Halloween costume last year, when they went as Pac-Man and the four ghosts, and even had the distinctive music. 

She has a trip to Italy and Spain this summer, and expects more travel in retirement.

Briar science teacher Amy Didion hasn’t been afraid to venture into the field with her students. And, she will continue that when she retires–her first post-retirement trip is a week-long camping venture at The Wilds, where she will take a behind-the-scenes tour of the safari park in southeast Ohio. 

Mrs. Didion has taught for 33 years (six at Margaretta, one at Meadowlawn, and 26 at Briar). She says she will miss her colleagues and the connections she’s made with her students. “You didn’t think you were making a difference, and then something happens, and you realize you made an impact,” Mrs. Didion says. 

Spanish teacher Badredine Idrissi splits his time at Briar and PHS, and has been at Perkins Schools since the 2003-2004 school year. “We progressively went into more technology and software,” he says of Perkins Schools. He also is fond of the students and staff’s acceptance of different cultures.

After he departs Perkins, Mr. Idrissi will head to Morocco, where he will help build a school in a village there. “Everyone is welcome to visit,” he says. 

Also retiring from PHS is Ellen Waldock, who started 32 years ago teaching social studies and English. Now, she teaches only English. Her favorite memory? “The people that I’ve worked with over the last three decades. I still keep in touch with many of them.”  

Her future plans include lots of travel – “whatever I want, whenever I want.”

At Meadowlawn, 4th-grade teacher Julie Mack will call it a career after 26 years at Perkins Schools (and 34 years overall as a teacher.) 

A highlight for Mrs. Mack is “being able to see former students grow up and see some of them become teachers is pretty awesome.” Her plans include more time relaxing at Kelleys Island and traveling to visit family.

At Furry, Mary Pat Smith has been helping elementary students learn to read for 25 years. “Seeing their eyes light up when they understand reading makes it worthwhile,” Mrs. Smith says. 

In retirement, she plans to travel and visit family. “And, who knows, maybe I’ll play pickleball.”

Susan Hunt, a paraprofessional at Furry for 23 years, says she will miss her colleagues and the students. Heading into retirement, she looks forward to time with family and friends – and a trip to Fiji.

Also retiring this year from Furry is 2nd-grade teacher Janet Welsh, who has been at Perkins since the 1998-1999 school year. She looks forward to volunteering more and traveling in her retirement. Best memory? Mrs. Welsh says, “There are just too many memories.”

Rounding out the list of retirees is former intervention specialist and current Special Education Director Chris Guss, who’s been at Perkins Schools since the 1992-1993 school year. “I’m going to miss the relationship with the kids and their families,” Mrs. Guss says. “That’s always been the priority for me.”

She has plans for vacation and working part-time for the school district.

Congratulations to all the retirees.