Education is a work of HEART Thank you, TCAPS staff

Staff Appreciation

TCAPS Staff Appreciation Week

May 5 - 9, 2025

In alignment with National Teacher Appreciation Week, Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education publicly acknowledges and recognizes all staff members of Traverse City Area Public Schools. Each year, the Board of Education celebrates staff by designating the first week of May as Staff Appreciation Week. PDF DocumentView 2025 Board Staff Appreciation Special Recognition

On behalf of our greater community, we acknowledge the dedication and commitment of all employees who lead the daily operations of our district.

Schools are the hub of a community and TCAPS is no exception. Our community takes great pride in the ongoing successes of our students and all programming. Today, we honor all staff of Traverse City Area Public Schools who make our district a vibrant, safe, and rewarding place for children to learn and grow. 

Thank you for all you do!
 

Submit a Thank You

Submit a thank you for a special TCAPS staff member. Notes will be shared the week of May 5 - 9 at TCAPS.net.

Staff Appreciation Week 2025

Staff Thank Yous & Notes of Gratitude 


Celebration of Our 2023-2024 Retirees

TCAPS is pleased to celebrate its 2023-2024 retirees, recognizing the impact these 37 employees have had on the children of the Traverse City. Thank you!

TCAPS BOARD OF EDUCATION All Employee Retirement Recognition 2023/2024 May 30, 2024TCAPS 2023/2024 Retirement Statistics 37 Retirees Representing 7 Groups and 868 Years of Service to TCAPS! AFSCME: 3 retirees totaling 59 years with TCAPS FSEA: 6 retirees totaling 138.5 years with TCAPS TCAA: 1 retiree totaling 21 years with TCAPS TCCAPSA: 6 retirees totaling 110.5 years with TCAPS TCEA: 18 retirees totaling 490.5 years with TCAPS TCTA: 1 retiree totaling 13 years with TCAPS NON-AFFILIATED ADMINS: 2 retirees totaling 35.5 years with TCAPS Kimberly Afton Barbara Cotner Transportation Specialist Transportation 14 .5 Years of Service Carolyn Athanson Cook’s Assistant Blair Elementary School 21 Years of Service Sara Bageris Elementary Education Teacher Central Grade School 26 .5 Years of Service Arlette Bennington Custodian West Middle School 9 Years of Service Cook’s Assistant Central High School 1 .5 Years of Service Peter Deneen Music Education/Band Director East Middle School & Central High School 32 Years of Service Bette Dienes B Cook West Middle School 26 Years of Service Nathaniel “Than” Dykstra Science Teacher East Middle School 29 Years of ServiceJuliana Forlenza Peter Hansen Elementary PE Teacher Cherry Knoll Elementary & Central Grade School 24 Years of Service Keith Forton Science & Physics Teacher Central High School 38 Years of Service Patricia Hackett Cook’s Assistant Long Lake Elementary 29 Years of Service Debra Halachukas Kitchen Leader West Middle School 25 Years of Service Tier I Lead Custodian Central Grade School 26 Years of Service Terri Hein Library Media Paraprofessional West Middle School 29 Years of Service Jenny Hetfield Elementary Education Teacher Silver Lake Elementary 4 .5 Years of Service Barbara Hobson Noon Duty & Indigenous Education Silver Lake Elementary 31 Years of ServiceJoelle Kolody Ann McDonough English Teacher Central High School 30 Years of Service Barbara Krueger Bus Driver Transportation 13 Years of Service Ben Ludka Social Studies Teacher Central High School 26 Years of Service Sarah Marek Elementary Education Teacher Eastern Elementary School 26 Years of Service Elementary Education Teacher (TAG) Central Grade School 24 Years of Service Jody Meyers English Teacher West Middle School 30 Years of Service Jon Moore Science Teacher East Middle School 26 Years of Service Lance Morgan Lead Principal Traverse City High 21 Years of Service Cathy Nelson Beth Stepke Special Education Aide/Noon Duty/ Bus Aide Blair Elementary & Transportation 15 Years of Service Mary Beth O’Neil Mathematics Teacher West Middle School 35 Years of Service Doug Partlo Assistant Director of Transportation 21 Years of Service Luan Ross ECSE Teacher Blair Elementary School 33 .5 Years of Service Noon Duty Central Grade School 11 Years of Service Jonathon Stewart Montessori Assistant & Noon Duty TCAPS Montessori 16 Years of Service Melissa Thomas Elementary Education Teacher Central Grade School 29 Years of Service Susan Thomas Elementary Education Teacher Willow Hill Elementary School 26 Years of ServiceSuzanne Vanderklipp Edie Wheaton Library Media Paraprofessional West Middle School 8 .5 Years of Service Michael VanPelt Tier II Lead Custodian Courtade Elementary School 24 Years of Service Heather VanStratt Elementary Education Teacher Central Grade School 25 Years of Service Tracey Westerman Instructional & Behavioral Coach Cherry Knoll Elementary School 26 Years of Service Kitchen Leader Westwoods Elementary School 36 Years of ServiceTCAPS educates, inspires, and supports all learners to maximize individual excellence and success.