The Mount Vernon School District held a retirement celebration for teachers and staff Friday, May 24, at Mount Vernon Schools. Honored at the reception were superintendent Dr. Greg Batenhorst, transportation director Dennis “Denny” Gross, assistant director of technology Tim Larson, social studies teacher Margo Massey and nutrition director Marcia Purrington.
Batenhorst is retiring after 40 years of teaching. He says he hopes to complete volunteer work and work as a consultant for Ray and Associates and possibly being an adjunct teacher at Creighton university.
Washington Elementary principal Kate Stanton delivered a speech honoring Batenhorst.
She said one of the things she and many teachers learned to love was Batenhorst’s openness on email and communication.
“It did take a little bit to get his sense of humor,” Stanton said.
His weather announcements became very legendary, especially during the rough winter of 2019, where a lot of snow and inclement weather days impacted the school schedule.
Stanton praised Batenhorst’s guidance through the 2020 COVID pandemic and his work as a leader at the time.
“It made it easier to have a leader like Greg as superintendent at the time,” Stanton said.
One of her favorite things she witnessed in 2021 was Batenhorst taking care to water the plants outside Washington Elementary using a small watering can. When staff approached him about getting a bigger watering can or other alternatives to make the job easier, he answered with his method gave him the time to care for each plant individually.
“It’s the same he had for all staff and individuals in the district,” Stanton said.
One of the other things was Batenhorst was known for was his walks in Mount Vernon.
“Greg and Mary Lou walking our community became true staples of this community that people would see out and about in our community,” Stanton said. “He’s truly going to be missed. He has been an outstanding and supportive leader whose mission was ‘all in for all children all of the time.’”
Stanton said that the other attribute that many will remember from Batenhorst was to be kind all the time and he will be leaving the district in a better place than it was seven years ago.
Batenhorst said he and Mary Lou will always be Mustangs and not be strangers, planning to make trips to come and see what the district is up to on occasion.
“Thank you for the best seven years of my career,” Batenhorst said.
Batenhorst spoke about Gross at the event, noting his retirement celebration was held two days prior at the bus barn.
“Many of us don’t see Denny at his absolute best, and that’s his time when he’s working with kids on his school bus,” Batenhorst said. “He’s done phenomenal at his job and kept the safety of students mind at all times.”
Sam Flockhart, director of technology, spoke about Larson’s time as assistant director of technology. Larson spent 11 years as the assistant director of technology at Mount Vernon. Prior to that, Larson had worked as information technology director at Linn County, Linn County elections professional.
Larson said he will be working other options in the technology field.
“When I think about Larson’s career, I think so much about the changes of technology he saw,” Flockhart said. “Back then, there was no wi-fi and very few internet connected devices.”
Larson recounted when Larson joined the district 11 years ago, it coincided with the district rolling out 1 to 1 initiatives at the middle school. Larson was also instrumental when more technology was rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure so many had 1 to 1 devices.
“Tim was an example of patience, forgiveness and kindness,” Flockhart said. “I’m grateful he was an assistant for technology at the district and worked alongside our students for so many years.
Massey taught at Mount Vernon for 18 years, previously working in human resources in the business world. She was student council advisor, girls’ basketball coach and girls’ track coach.
Her plans in retirement are to travel and she and her husband are looking to purchase a beach home to stay in during winter.
Teachers Ed Timm and Maggie Willems recorded their messages about Massey’s impact to the district, comparing many of her attributes to the Marvelous Miss Maisel.
Timm said Massey was independent and confident, as well as showed the attributes of independence Mrs. Maisel was known for.
Willems said Massey’s legacy included beginning a bi-annual European trip during J-Term, as well as the ways she learned along her colleagues.
Timm said Massey’s compassion and empathy for her friends and students was also important.
“She has had high expectations throughout her career and coaching that pushed people to do better,” Timm said.
Her resilience helped her to lead students to excel at the state track competition during the years she coached the team.
“She was also a natural energy creator in the classrooms and building,” Willems said. “We’re so thankful she chose to spend her ‘second career’ in teaching here with us at Mount Vernon.”
Purrington spent 25 years at Mount Vernon schools serving as the nutrition director.
Her plans in retirement include spending more time with her grandchildren.
“I have enjoyed serving the students at the school and have been proud of the program,” Purrington said. “I hope whomever fills this position continues to grow the program and listens to the students and maintains the quality and integrity that has been established.
Steve Brand spoke about Purrington.
“I have never doubted that she has always put the students first,” Brand said.
Brand said that the staff in the kitchens have always been cheerful and happy when serving students meals every day.
Brand said there have been many changes that happened to the lunch room over the years, and she always took whatever changes were brought to her as important.
“Even when it came to government mandated changes to menus, she and her staff found ways to make those changes work and delivered delicious meals,” Brand said. “Meals will still be served, including some of the recipes she made popular, but we will miss her and her dedication to being nutrition director next year.”
Retirement celebration held for MV teachers
Nathan Countryman, Editor
June 6, 2024
About the Contributor
Nathan Countryman, Editor
Nathan Countryman is the Editor of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun.