event photo

CCPS wished 23 employees a happy retirement this month with celebrations, gifts and heartfelt well wishes from colleagues and friends.

In honor of their service to students, a donation in each retiree’s name was made to Imagination Library, a program which provides a free, age-appropriate book every month to any child in Caroline County, from the time they are born through the age of five. Each individual $50 donation will cover the cost of providing two children with monthly books for one year. With 24 retirees, the total amount of the donation was $1,150.

Retiring school staff were honored at their respective schools; those serving in a districtwide or administrator capacity were honored at a reception at Cow Barn Events in Ridgely. At the event, Superintendent Derek L. Simmons noted that the Central Office and administrative retirees represented 265 years of institutional knowledge and experience. “We will miss them as a daily part of many of our lives,” he said, “and no doubt the district as a whole will feel the loss of their presence.” 

Each of the retirees’ direct supervisors introduced them, shared memories, and expressed appreciation for their contributions to students, families, and colleagues over the course of their careers. Dr. Simmons presented each of them with original artwork print, specifically created for CCPS, that identified school locations in a county map outline.

All event photos may be found on the CCPS Flickr page.

2025 Retirees

Name - Position - Current Location - Years of Service in Caroline

Virginia C. Gavin

Instructional Assistant

DES

25

Melissa B. Bradley

Teacher

NCHS

22

Rhonda Y. Thomas Warner

Administrative Assistant

CO

25

Eric Neil Lambert

Assistant Principal

CRMS

30

Paula L. Miller

Teacher

NCHS

15

Deborah L. Regulski

Cafeteria Manager II

CRMS

30

Susan J. Zimmerman

Cafeteria Worker

CRMS

24

Mark A. Cauffman

Coordinator of Network Services

COA

33

Dennis R. Younce

Computer Technician

COA

38

Steven M. Hovland

Technology Teacher Specialist

COA

43

Stacey N. Todd

Teacher

FES

30

Melissa D. Shufelt

Teacher

CRMS

30

Melissa C. Mulligan

Supervisor of Data and Research

CO

26

Tracy L. Ward

Reading Resource Teacher

PES

30

Melissa V. Gillespe

Media Specialist

CRMS

33

Thomas B. Ferkler

Reading Intervention Teacher

LMS

30

Lisa R. Murray

Special Education Teacher

PES

30

Keli A. O'Connor

Teacher

FES

30

Linette D. Hopkins

Instructional Assistant

NCHS

32

Faye B. Harris

Cafeteria Manager II

GES

23

Kimberly V. Smith

Instructional Assistant

NCHS

15

Linda M. Blackmon

Media Specialist

PES

8

Preston G. Holmes, Sr.

Bus Driver

SSC

19