As the 2025-26 school year comes to a close, Moorhead Area Public Schools (MAPS) pauses to recognize, celebrate, and say a heartfelt thank you to an exceptional group of staff members who are embarking on their next great adventure: retirement.
Every school year is shaped by the educators, administrators, and support staff who dedicate their days to our students. This year's retirees leave behind a profound legacy that has fundamentally shaped the Spud community.
A Lifetime of Dedication by the Numbers
To truly understand the impact of this year’s retirees, one only has to look at the incredible scope of their collective service:
Nearly 350 Years of Combined Experience: Together, these individuals have dedicated centuries of knowledge, patience, and passion to the education and well-being of Moorhead’s youth.
9 out of 11 MAPS Buildings Represented: From our youngest learners taking their first steps in our early childhood spaces to our high school seniors preparing for graduation, these retirees have left their mark across nearly every corner of the district.
A Wide Range of Essential Roles: This cohort represents the diverse ecosystem required to run a successful school district. They have served as teachers, support staff, bus drivers, and technicians... each role vital to creating a safe, nurturing, and excellent learning environment.
Making an Impact, One Student at a Time
While the statistics are staggering, the true measure of these employees' careers lies in the thousands of quiet, daily moments that define a life in public education. It is found in the breakthrough moments in the classroom, the clean and safe hallways, the comforting words on a tough day, and the logistics managed seamlessly behind the scenes.
Their dedication has helped MAPS fulfill its mission to develop the maximum potential of every learner to thrive in a changing world. They have not just watched history happen in Moorhead; they have actively built the foundation for our community’s future.
Help Moorhead Area Public Schools celebrate all 2025-26 retirees. Follow the district website, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to see features on each of our retirees throughout the summer.
Cara Cody-Braun, Horizon West, 5 years
Heidi Fisher, Moorhead High, 35 years
Renee Grover, Moorhead High, 38 years
Diane Karsten, Moorhead High, 18 years
Toni Kleber, Moorhead High, 12 years
Stephanie McNab, S.G. Reinertsen, 36 years
Jeff Pegg, MHS Career Academy, 3 years
Kate Rockstad, Horizon West, 39 years
Anne Schneider, Hopkins/Alternative Learning Center, 26 years
Barb Schumacher, Horizon East, 32 years
Mari Lourdes Shamdas, Robert Asp, 30 years
Kathy Swiontek, Moorhead High, 8 years
Koreena Taylor, Operations Center, 26 years
Janell Van Beek, Operations Center, 3 years
Judy Werner, S.G. Reinertsen, 16 years
Shelley Zahradka, Moorhead High, 25 years