A special recognition ceremony at a recent Escalon Unified School District board meeting highlighted the careers of several longtime educators, as they looked toward retirement.

The reception gave school board members and school administrators the chance to thank and recognize the teachers and aides, combining for more than 200 years’ worth of dedicated service to the district and its students.

Louise Spurgeon, longtime secretary at Van Allen Elementary, was recognized for 44 years of service to the district, while El Portal music teacher (who also handled several other classes) Dennis Robinson was honored for his 41 years of service to the district.

High school teacher and coach Rusty Fachner is retiring after 38 years of service to Escalon Unified School District, teacher and coach Gary Ball retired from the high school with 37 years of service behind him.

Instructional aide Judy Jansen – chosen as this year’s classified employee of the year – retires with 36 years of service to the district.

Turning in 24 years, Martha Collazo was honored for her service, with Patricia Brown retiring after 11 years with the district and Sandae Overholtzer recognized for nine years.

Jansen, as the classified employee, was presented with a special ‘school bell’ plaque at the El Portal eighth grade graduation ceremony and Dent Elementary second grade teacher Cassie Gregory, chosen as the certified employee of the year, was honored and gave a speech at the Escalon High School graduation ceremony on Friday night.

Thursday, Dennis Robinson was saluted even as he led the El Portal band at the graduation, and Friday evening saw additional applause and cheers for teachers Fachner and Ball, attending their final EHS commencement as employees of the district.