Dinner honors retiring Buffalo teachers

Dennis Hartley BISD teachers and staff members celebrated the end of the year with a dinner on Thursday, June 3rd. It was also a time to say goodbye to several retiring teachers and to recognize service anniversaries for many others.

DENNIS HARTLEY

Dennis (Denny) Hartley has been a fixture in the district for 39 years. A Buffalo Bison himself, Denny graduby ated in ‘64, then came back to teach and coach here. He has taught at the high school and junior high, “mostly math and a few years of science”, and served as an assistant principal for many years and did a stint as the BHS principal from ‘93-2001. Hartley’s coaching duties have run the gamut -- football, basketball track and baseball. Not one to toot his own horn, Hartley has not kept records of his teams’ wins, but he can claim “a few district championships” at the high school and junior high levels. Hartley has also served the district as Athletic Director. Officially retiring in ‘04, he was immediately rehired and stayed on as a coach and teacher.

Maggie Reeder In addition to coaching practically every man in town, Dennis Hartley has had the pleasure of coaching his own grandchildren. This summer he will be taking all three grandkids -- Tate Hartley and Kyle and Reagan Read -- to Fairfield for six weeks of conditioning training.

Hartley doesn’t expect his retirement to be too quiet. He has a ranch and cattle to tend, and is looking forward to having more time to devote to that. “I’ve got lots to do,” he shared. “My grandsons want to keep me busy coon hunting, and I told Mary Jane I’d like to go some places.” Of course, with three grandkids at the high school next year, one place you can count on seeing the Hartleys will be at BHS’ games and meets -- and he’ll be one of the most enthusiastic fans there!

Susan Wilder MARGARITA REEDER

Maggie Reeder is stepping down from her longterm position as Spanish teacher at BHS. She too, is a product of the retire/rehire program, but after 39 years states “I’m really ready this time.” Over the years she has brought many a student out of their comfort zone and onto the stage for one of her Cinco de Mayo programs. Most summers, she has also served as a sponsor /chaperone for international student trips, broadening the horizons of her students in a very literal way.

Maggie, now a grandmother, plans to spend more time with her family and to continue to pursue her love of travel.

SUSAN WILDER

BHS English teacher Susan Wilder is retiring from BISD after 22 years. She has taught at both the junior high and high school, and is eagerly anticipating her increased leisure time. She will still be faithful to her Boot Camp workouts, but will have more time for working in her yard, and is looking forward to having the freedom to attend her grandkids’ school activities. She also plans to do some substitute teaching at BISD.

SYLVIA GARCIA

Sylvia Garcia is retiring after seventeen years of service to the students of Buffalo High School and Junior High and states that she has enjoyed working with the students. Garcia served as an ESL aide and worked with (ISS) In-School Suspension.

The following service anniversaries were noted at the end-of-year dinner:

Carolyn Ballard was recognized for 30 years of service to the district.

Twenty-five Year Service Plaques were presented to Lowanda Hayes and Dana Morris.

Shirley Pierce was presented a Fifteen-Year Service Plaque.

Ten-Year Service Plaques were presented to Shirley Arbor, Robin Little and Mark Read.

Five-Year Plaques were presented to Amanda Davis, Connie Easterling, Don Elsom, Tina Elsom, Sanjuana Rivas, Sheila Ryder, Santa Soria and Denise Williams.

See Photos, 8A)