More than 100 Spokane Public Schools employees are retiring this spring, some of whom have served more than 40 years with our district.
From kindergarten teachers to kitchen staff, plumbers to paraeducators, each of them deserves to be honored, which is why we’re hosting an Evening of Excellence retiree celebration in June.
We’ve chosen seven to feature here through brief Q&As about their career journeys. Thank you to all our retirees for dedicating yourselves to the benefit of our students and families!
Lori Beaty: Paraeducator, On Track Academy
When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?
My connection with Spokane Public Schools began nearly 30 years ago as a volunteer at Lincoln Heights Elementary. What started as volunteering quickly grew into a variety of roles, including playground supervision, office support, one-on-one student assistance, and classroom aide positions. I’ve always had a deep love for learning—about people as much as subjects—and working with students of all ages felt like a natural fit for that passion.
Over time, as I had the opportunity to work across multiple schools and grade levels (K–12), that passion evolved into a strong desire to be a consistent, supportive presence for students—especially during the challenging moments in their lives. My goal has always been to show up without judgment or comparison, to ensure each student feels seen, heard, and valued, and to support them in reaching their full potential.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?
The most rewarding part of my career has been my time over the past few years at On Track Academy. As I often tell students, On Track Academy feels like “the happiest place on earth.” The sense of community there is truly special, and those relationships will stay with me for life.
I’ve been incredibly grateful for the opportunities to grow professionally, expanding my skill set while feeling supported every step of the way. The trust placed in me by administrators and advisors allowed me to step into new roles with confidence. One highlight has been creating, coordinating, and facilitating a Youth Wellness course, which has been both meaningful and impactful for our students and community!
What are you most looking forward to about retiring?
In retirement, I look forward to exploring other passions while continuing to support youth through mental health awareness and advocacy. I’m also excited for the simple joys—having the flexibility to set my own schedule, whether that means sleeping in or starting the day early. And yes, I may even be that person carefully driving the speed limit in a school zone, reminding others to slow down and enjoy the moment.
What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?
My best advice is to remain flexible—in your learning, in your approach, and in your relationships with students. Keep students at the center of everything you do. When you allow students to take ownership of their growth, the outcomes can be incredibly powerful.
Focus on building relationships and trust first. When students feel supported as whole individuals—both academically and personally—the learning naturally follows. Walking alongside students, guiding them, and helping them develop both skills and values is the most meaningful work you can do.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’d like to thank the various mentors that have given me the gift of their time and support. This work is not meant to be done in isolation—it requires collaboration, humility, and a willingness to both give and receive support.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that no one has all the answers. By leaning on one another, supporting each other, and working together, we create the best possible outcomes for our students. It truly takes a community to lift our young people up.
Angus Nunes: Music/Orchestra Teacher, Lewis & Clark High School
When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?
I began working at Spokane Public Schools in the fall of 1997, fresh out of graduating from Eastern Washington University.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?
The most important part of my work here at SPS has been the response of students to my instruction, and the overwhelming support of families for my/our work with their students.
What are you most looking forward to about retiring?
My youngest son Kofi, and his wife Emerald are expecting their second child any day now, and my wife Lisa and I can't wait to go spend some time with our newest grandchild, Imani, who will be our sixth. Our children are in other parts of Washington, in southern Oregon and California, so We'll do some travelling to visit with them. But I'm most looking forward to taking some time to meditate more, devote much more time to practicing my double bass, get lots of reading done of my history books and books on politics, and Lisa and I have a bucket list which includes travelling internationally.
What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?
I guess I would say to them: You've made an excellent choice, because there's a vital need for good educators. This is a very rewarding career for those who really want to teach and learn from our students. You're not going to get rich in this profession, but it is an intellectually satisfying and noble career to pursue.
Anything else you’d like to share?
There are many people in this district for whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude, amongst them Carol Pederson, Theresa Meyer, and Heidi Haynes, just to name a few.
I started my teaching career at Linwood Elementary 29 years ago and have taught in so many elementary schools that it's easier for me to count the small number of elementary schools at which I haven't taught.
My time teaching at Spokane Public Montessori with Shannon Lawson has been a highlight of my career but ending my teaching career here at Lewis & Clark High school has been the absolute pinnacle of my teaching career. With all due love and respect for my colleagues who work at our other high schools, the students, families, staff and administration here at LC are the very best.
Coming to teach orchestra here three years ago and seeing students whom I started on their instrument at area elementary schools years earlier, still playing their instrument, and playing very well, has been very gratifying. This has been an awesome journey. Thank you, Spokane Public Schools, for the opportunity to teach and learn here.
Marianne Fischer: Nurse, Logan Elementary
When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?
September 2008. I wanted to try a different nursing pathway after years in the hospital setting.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?
I have always had Logan as one of my schools. Eighteen years in a low-income school has its own challenges, but I feel you can really make a difference with this population of clients.
What are you most looking forward to about retiring?
I don’t think it will sink in until the fall as we have summers off. I plan to travel and spend time with friends and family.
What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?
School nursing is a very unique type of nursing, and I would advise any new grad to get some hospital or public health experience before you start school nursing.
Anything else you’d like to share?
It is very exciting for the Logan neighborhood to have a health clinic on site to help serve this underserved population. [Learn more about the WSU Logan Family Clinic here: https://health.wsu.edu/logan-family-clinic/]
Diana Arnold: Secretarial Support Supervisor, Central District Office
When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?
I began working with Spokane Public Schools in 1996, when I started as a substitute at Balboa Elementary School. I enjoyed being part of the school environment and supporting students and staff, which led me to pursue a more permanent role. In August 1998, I was hired as an assistant secretary at Whitman Elementary School, where I could contribute more consistently to the school community.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?
The most rewarding part of my work with Spokane Public Schools has been building meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families. Those daily interactions have made my work truly fulfilling, and it’s been especially rewarding to support others and be part of a positive, connected school community.
What are you most looking forward to about retiring?
I am most looking forward to traveling with my husband and spending more quality time with my grandchildren. It will be a wonderful opportunity to create new memories, relax, and enjoy this next chapter of life.
What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?
My advice for anyone starting their career right now is to look for work that is both meaningful and fulfilling. If you’re interested in a career that involves supporting children and fostering a strong sense of community, Spokane Public Schools is a wonderful place to start. It not only offers a rewarding environment but also provides a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I feel truly grateful to have had such a rewarding career with Spokane Public Schools. It has been a privilege to be part of this community, and I will always appreciate the experiences, relationships, and memories I’ve gained along the way.
Thomas Vogt: Kindergarten teacher, Jefferson Elementary
When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?
I started at SPS in Fall of 2002. I had worked the previous 7 years as a first-grade teacher in the Post Falls School District.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?
The most rewarding has been getting to know all the children. For some families, I taught all four or five of their children, many of whom have kept in touch as they went on to school and adulthood. My relationships with families and partnering with the parents has been rewarding. I’ve also enjoyed working with school staff and leadership. The school and family relationships have fostered life-long friendships.
What are you most looking forward to about retiring?
Spending more time with my wife, travelling, and spending time with my married children and their families.
What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?
Teaching is more than a job. Teaching is a calling. My advice for someone interested in teaching as a career: Find yourself a great mentor, a teacher who has done it for a long time and learn from them; Build genuine relationships with every child; Get to know their families; Lead by example; Be kind, be calm and be fair.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Learning is like riding a unicycle. Fall, get back up, and keep trying. My philosophy is this: work hard, do your best every day, and never give up. Simple and everyday practices will allow a teacher to look back and not have any regrets, only great memories.
Chris Lougheed: Hardware repair specialist, Instructional Technology Support Center
When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?
My hire date was Dec. 12, 2002. Back in the days of Palm Pilots and GroupWise and before the Cloud took over. I was hired out of North Idaho College’s tech department, where I had done a mid-life career change
What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?
Keeping technology up and running and knowing the impact that has on the future of the students of Spokane Public Schools. This position has forced me to exercise my grey matter to keep up with the pace of change, which was rewarding as well.
What are you most looking forward to about retiring?
Hanging with my 1-year-old grandson Cedar James and the family as well as getting outside and upright as much as possible. We live in a beautiful part of the world.
What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?
Stay curious. It’s essential to keep up with the rapid change of technology and society in general these days. Keep an open mind.
Anything else you would like to share?
I would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the many hardworking staff of SPS I have worked with over the 8,570 days of my employment. I have been very fortunate to share time with so many bright and engaging co-workers here at ITSC. It’s been an honor and a pleasure.
Donelle Osborne: Spanish teacher, Shadle Park High School
When and why did you start working at Spokane Public Schools?
I did my student teaching at Lewis and Clark High School back in the winter of 1993 and graduated from EWU that quarter. While I was student teaching, I received a call that the district needed someone endorsed in Spanish and English to do a long-term sub for the spring.
That’s how I came to Shadle. I taught 4 English classes and 1 Spanish class. Over the following summer a position opened in English and Spanish, and I was so happy to get the job! I have been here ever since.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work here?
I think the most rewarding part of my work is building connections with staff and students. I truly believe that personal relationships are the key to a good environment for teaching, working, learning, and growing as a person. I love those “aha” moments when my students “get” the content, but I also love the life moments when we learn from each other.
What are you most looking forward to about retiring?
Travel, volunteering, and spending time with my grandkids!
What’s your advice for anyone starting their career right now?
Your students may not remember how to conjugate a verb (or do whatever your content teaches) 10 years from now, but they WILL remember how you made them feel in your classroom and what they learned about being a good citizen. It all goes back to personal relationships and really getting to know your students.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I have been so fortunate and blessed to work at Shadle Park High School for 33 years. I know that being in one place does not happen for everyone; I am thankful to have been a Highlander and a part of Spokane Public Schools. So many have shared my journey: my students, staff, admin, and colleagues in World Languages at the other schools in our district. It has been a wonderful ride!