Congratulations, Retirees
Kenston Schools bid a heartfelt farewell to six employees retiring this school year. The group has collectively served the district for 169 years! We are grateful for their dedication to students, parents, staff, and community. Retiring this year are Janet Austen, Kenston Intermediate School 5th Grade Teacher; Renee Ebelender, Bus Driver; Ellen Larkin, Kenston High School Intervention Specialist; Daryl Major, Kenston High School Educational Aide; Terry Markoff, Kenston High School Intervention Specialist; and Sue Matsko, Kenston High School Nutrition Services Kitchen Manager.
Janet Austen – KIS 5th Grade Teacher
Janet has 33 years of experience as an elementary teacher. She began her career as a substitute teacher for 4 different districts before landing her career position here in Kenston. Janet has been teaching 5th grade in Kenston Schools for 32 years. She has taught 5th grade the entire time, but has been in three different district buildings – Timmons (when it housed 3-5), the old KIS/ELC building that was torn down, and now the present-day KIS.
Janet looks forward to hiking, kayaking, and spending time with family and friends. We thank Janet for her dedication to her students and hope she has a wonderful retirement!
Renee Ebelender – Bus Driver
Renee retired in November, after working in Kenston for 17 years. She started in Nutrition Services in 2006. After 4 years, Renee transferred to the Transportation Department, becoming a bus driver. She had a great rapport with her students and families, as well as her peers. Renee’s families and coworkers miss her friendly smile and personality! We wish her well in her retirement.
Ellen Larkin – KHS Intervention Specialist
Before coming to Kenston, Ellen taught 19 years at a middle school in Connecticut and she has taught for 20 years at Kenston High School. As an intervention specialist, Ellen has led the special education team as the Department Head for the last 11 years. She excelled in collaborating with teachers in multiple content areas, but spent most of the time in the math department teaching Algebra and Geometry.
Ellen is looking forward to spending quality time with her first grandchild in July and is planning a trip to Europe in the near future. Our best wishes and congratulations to Ellen!
Daryl Major – KHS Educational Aide
Daryl has been employed by Kenston since 1995. As an educational aide, she has served hundreds of students with special needs. Her work, like that of most educational aides, is not as obvious to others as that of our teachers or staff members. Daryl has taken care of not only students’ academic needs, but also life needs that most students don’t think twice about. She enjoys observing her students as they continue to progress and cross the stage at commencement.
In retirement, Daryl will be enjoying quality time with her grandchildren, as well as beginning to plan a cruise to Alaska with her husband. We thank Daryl for her dedicated service to our students and wish her all the best!
Terry Markoff – KHS Intervention Specialist
Prior to Kenston,Terry worked at Positive Education Program (PEP), in Akron City Schools. He has been a teacher at Kenston High School for 22 years. Terry is very effective in connecting with his students, building relationships that resulted in success in their academic endeavors. Terry has also been a dedicated advisor to the National Honor Society.
Terry will enjoy retirement spending many hours outside running, climbing, skiing, paddling, hiking and woodworking. We thank Terry for his hard work over the years and hope he has a wonderful retirement!
Susan Matsko – KHS Nutrition Services Kitchen Manager
Sue has been at Kenston for 31 years. She worked as a substitute in Kenston Schools for 1 year, then was offered a permanent position. Sue began at the middle school for 1 year and has spent the following 30 at the high school. Sue has held various positions in food service operations. Her most recent role has been the high school kitchen manager for the past 3 years. In retirement, Sue plans on traveling and spending time with her family, especially her 6 grandchildren. Sue will be missed at KHS – we wish her all the best!