Moorhead Area Public Schools would like to thank the staff members who retired during the 2024-25 school year for their years of passionate, dedicated service to our district, students, families and their MAPS colleagues. These employees have combined for nearly 600 years of experience within the district.
The 2024-25 year retirees represent 10 of MAPS’ 11 buildings plus West Central Academy and served in a wide range of roles in support of Moorhead students during their time with the district.
More than half of those retiring have served the district for 30 years or more. Among them is Robert Asp Elementary’s Karen Reierson, who taught kindergarten, first and second grade in her 31 years. Karen said, “I will miss the students who come back and contact me for years, even into adulthood, after being in my class. It shows me that they realized how much I care and support them.”
Horizon Middle School East 8th grade Global Studies teacher Michael Benson started as a substitute teacher and served in several other roles with MAPS before earning his teaching degree and becoming a full-time middle school teacher in 2001. He said, “I have been blessed to work with so many unique and caring staff members and here is a big thank you for each and every one of them. I have also been blessed to work with amazing administrators and all of their assistants from Edison [Elementary], the old Junior High, Horizon and at the Operations Center. Whenever I needed help they were always able to lend me a hand.”
For many teachers, after serving so long, retirement can feel surreal. Deb Booth, a Literacy Intervention teacher at Ellen Hopkins Elementary completing her 36th year with the district, said, “I can't quite wrap my mind around retirement yet, but I'm definitely looking forward to some time with my new granddaughter, reading, volunteering and seeing family and friends.”
Jim Rene, a custodian at the MHS Career Academy, passed away two months after his January retirement at age 77. The Moorhead Area Public Schools district shares its sympathies with Jim’s loved ones and celebrates his 36 years of service.
Help Moorhead Area Public Schools celebrate all 2024-25 retirees. Follow the district website, Facebook and Instagram to see features on each of our retirees throughout the summer.
Michael Benson, Horizon East, 29 years
Deb Booth, Ellen Hopkins, 36 years
Lisa Denny, Robert Asp, 33 years
Debra Doll, West Central Academy, 4 years
Rick Eidsness, Horizon East, 33 years
Deb Hellekson, Horizon East, 38 years
Jane Holtz, Early Learning Center, 32 years
Stephanie Holm, S.G. Reinertsen, 34 years
Billy Jo Irion, Moorhead High, 40 years
Karen Loken, Horizon West, 31 years
Joni Lordeman, Ellen Hopkins, 28 years
Jennifer McManamon, Ellen Hopkins, 11 years
Darla Mohr, Horizon East, 14 years
Lynn Mueller, Operations Center, 12 years
Susan Murphy, Horizon East, 16 years
Janine Nelson, Early Learning Center, 34 years
Weiwei Qian, Moorhead High, 13 years
Karen Reierson, Robert Asp, 31 years
Jim Rene, MHS Career Academy, 36 years
Vicky Schempp, MHS Career Academy, 8 years
Patricia Schmidt, Horizon West, 33 years
Pat Sullivan, Operations Center, 47 years
Sara Sundberg, Adult Basic Education, 5 years