2021 Retirees

Mrs. Pat Brockway has been an educator for 44 years. She began her education career teaching first grade at St. Anselm School. Just prior to coming to Kenston, Pat transitioned into administration at Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills. There, she held positions of Director of Middle School and Dean of Students. Pat’s love of the middle grade students continued when she accepted a position in 1996 at Kenston as the KMS assistant principal. She became the principal at KMS in 1999 and held this position for 21 years, until 2020. This past year, Pat assumed the role of Curriculum Coordinator for Kenston’s Virtual Program.

Pat and her husband plan on traveling, visiting family and relaxing. We thank Pat for her many years in education and her contributions to Kenston!

Mrs. Rita Pressman has been an educator for over 40 years. She began her career as a 7th-10th grade science teacher in New York state, then becoming a Science Education Supervisor in New York and in Ohio, for Mahoning County ESC. Rita was then offered a position at Gilmour Academy, where she spent five years as a director of guidance/counseling for grades 6-12, before accepting a position as Coordinator of Pupil Services for Lakewood City Schools. From Lakewood, Rita came to Kenston in 1998 and has spent the last 22 years of her career here as Director of Special Education. She has served on various committees, such as LPDC, Business Advisory council, Reading and Literacy, and other county-wide committees.

We thank Rita for her 40 years in the education profession and her commitment to Kenston students and families. We wish her all the best as she begins to enjoy her time traveling, visiting family and pursuing volunteer opportunities.

Mr. Dale Ausperk has been a bus driver in Kenston for 16 years. During his time as a driver, he has driven the St. Helen / Notre Dame Route. Dale is also a realtor for Keller Williams of Greater Cleveland and is active in Keller Williams’ initiatives and commitment to shut-in seniors in the community. He heads the beautification efforts to aid those seniors with clean up.

Dale plans on traveling with his wife in retirement. We thank Dale for his service to Kenston families and wish him well!

Mr.Joe Belsan has been in the transportation field for 41 years as a mechanic. He worked at Cleveland Metropolitan Schools and Shaker Heights City Schools before coming to Kenston as the Head Mechanic. While at Kenston, Joe was an active volunteer with the Musical Arts Association of Kenston and could be found lending a hand in the concession stand on Friday nights.

After retirement, he plans on spending time with his wife and mother in Florida. We thank Joe for his hard work over the years in Kenston and wish him all the best in his retirement!

Mrs. Chris Maistros has been teaching for 44 years, 27 at Kenston. In teaching Physical Education, she has encouraged healthy habits through exercise and nutrition. During her career, Chris has made presentations at the SHAPE America National Conference, highlighting the District’s Play Blue initiatives. She also led efforts to spotlight the Timmons PE programs, resulting in Timmons receiving recognition with an Ohio Gold Award for Excellence five years in a row.

Chris looks forward to spending more time with her father and grandchildren. She will also fine tune her golf game, as well as cheer on her Cleveland teams. We thank Chris for her dedication and commitment to the health of staff and students!

For 23 years, Mrs. Jackie England has been serving Kenston students, parents, and staff with a kind and generous attitude. Jackie worked for Kenston Community Education office before joining the Kenston Schools in 1998 as an administrative assistant at Gardiner Elementary School. In 2006, she moved to Kenston Intermediate School, where she has been working for the past 15 years.

Jackie looks forward to spending time with her family and friends in retirement. She and her husband Dennis also plan to travel in their newfound free time. We thank Jackie for her dedication to the Kenston Community and wish her all the best in her retirement!

Mrs. Lynn Fagerholm has served in many roles over her 37 years at Kenston. These would include serving as a 4th grade teacher, 3rd-5th grade Science Lab Teacher, Middle School STEM teacher, and 7th grade Science Teacher. Lynn has also been involved with several activities and classes at Kenston including, the Kenston High School Out West Trip, Science Olympiad and Liaison to the Geauga Parks District. She has received many awards and grants over the years, contributing to the education of students for decades while always seeking opportunities for her own growth as a professional. Lynn also currently serves on the Board at the Chagrin Falls Park Center and is an active citizen of the Kenston community.

We thank Lynn for the passion she has demonstrated for students and congratulate her on her retirement! She is looking forward to transitioning to new opportunities which will include visiting her children and using her love of science in new ways.

Mrs. Sue Skoczen and her husband of 42 years, Ron, have lived in Bainbridge for 40 years. Their three children have graduated from Kenston. Sue started her career at Gardiner as a proctor before becoming an Educational Aide at Gardiner, KIS and then KMS She has been a wonderful support for many students during her 20 years at Kenston.

Sue looks forward to enjoying her retirement. We thank Sue for her contributions to Kenston students and wish her well in her retirement!

Mrs. Linda Sliwinski is retiring after 36 years with Kenston Schools. Linda and her family moved to Auburn in 1979. Prior to being hired at Kenston Middle School, Linda was a substitute secretary at the Board Office, Gardiner School, the old Intermediate School on Chillicothe Road and at the old High School, which is now Kenston Middle School. She then worked as a secretary to the curriculum coordinator at the former Auburn School. In 1988, Linda was hired as a secretary at Kenston Middle School and has contributed to the operation of the building for 33 years.

We thank Linda for her dedication and hope she has a wonderful retirement!

Mr. Ronnie Continenza has taught for 33 years, 25 at Kenston High School and 8 at Grand River Academy. He has taught Web Design, which has been one of the most popular elective classes through the years at KHS, and math prior to Web Design becoming popular. Ronnie is most proud of the accolades and accomplishments earned by his students when the initial KHS Website was built. Because of his leadership in the classroom, KHS was awarded several proclamations for his website work from local, state, and national politicians. Ronnie is a legend in the community due to his photojournalism skills, giving back countless days and hours photographing thousands of students through the years.

Ronnie still plans to help Kenston with photography in the future but also wishes to take time to volunteer at the City Mission. We thank Ronnie for his many hours of Kenston event coverage, as well as his years of teaching and maintaining the KHS website, and hope he enjoys his retirement.

Mrs. Chris Ganoe has taught for 22 years, with 18 of them being at Kenston High School. Chris is certified in Family Consumer Science as well as Special Education. She has been able to impact many students in her tenure by introducing needed life skills to help students succeed outside the classroom in classes such as Nutrition and Wellness, Parenting, and Life Studies.

Chris will be moving to Cincinnati in June to be closer to her son and his family. She is looking forward to spending time watching her grandsons grow up. In Cincinnati, Chris will also be closer to her daughter in Hilton Head. We thank Chris for her dedication to Kenston students and wish her well in her retirement!