All retirees are offered the opportunity to share their good news with our community. Ten staff members have chosen to be highlighted as they end their careers at Perry County School District 32.
Kim Dunker
Kim Dunker, administrative assistant at the Central Office, has retired after 29 years with Perry County School District 32. She is a 1974 graduate of Perryville High School. Her best memories of working at D32 are “the friendships I have made.” She plans to do a little traveling in her retirement and spend time with her family. She and her husband Jim have four children – Jason, Jennifer, Amy, and Danielle. They have 12 grandchildren – Tristen, Riley, Courtney, Phebe, Lexi, Lane, Lucas, Dash, Henry, Emy, Charlotte, and Rowan.
Barb Lawrence
Barb Lawrence, secretary at Perryville Elementary School, is retiring after 26 years with Perry County School District 32. Barb holds an associate’s degree in business management. She worked as first-grade teacher’s assistant for one year, a personal aide for one year, and spent two years as a classroom assistant in kindergarten before serving for 17 years as a Title 1 Reading Assistant. She has been the secretary at PES for 5 years. Barb said that her best memories at D32 are “the friendships I have made.” She said she’s looking forward to reclaiming her time in retirement. “I plan not to wake to an alarm clock at 5:15 am five days a week!” she said. “I plan not to limit my lunches to 30 minutes, and not to be held captive by a time clock anymore.” Barb and her husband Gary have two children, Cassie (Jared) Nance and Jacob Lawrence, and one grandchild Brandtly Nance. They have a dog named Duke and cats named Elsa and Ana.
Lori Baer
Lori Baer, the educational diagnostician for District 32, is retiring after 28 years with the district. Lori served as a special education instructor for 24 years before moving to her current position four years ago. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Child from Southeast Missouri State University. Lori is a 1991 graduate of Perryville High School, and is “Forever a Pirate!” In her retirement, she plans many play dates with her grandson, camping, golfing, and whatever else she wants to do. She and her husband Tim have two daughters, Kylie and Mollie, and a grandson named Jamison.
Carl Burr
Carl Burr, who teaches auto collision repair technology at Perryville Area Career and Technology Center, is retiring after 8 years with District 32. He taught Industrial Engineering Technology for two years before he moved to auto collision repair. Carl is a GM, Ford, and Chrysler certified technician. He attended Larry Slaughter University where he earned his I-Car and ASE certifications, and majored in auto technology at the Leadbelt Vocational/Technology Center. He and his wife Ann have four children, and six grandchildren – two boys and four girls. In his retirement, he plans to finish his custom hotrods.
Keith Winkler
Keith Winkler is retiring after 15 years with District 32. He has served in many capacities at the middle and high schools including teaching high school PE, middle and high school weightlifting, middle school computers, middle school social studies, and middle and high school ISS. He is a former head football coach for the Perryville Pirates. He holds a bachelor of science degree in secondary education/physical education from Southeast Missouri State University. “I enjoy living in this community and talking with, working with, and seeing many of our graduates contribute to our town,” he said. Keith and his wife Mary have two daughters, Kayla and Jenna. In his retirement, Keith plans to spend time with his family and travel.
Lisa Esselman
Lisa Esselman, the library paraprofessional at Perryville Elementary School, is retiring after nine years with District 32. She is a 1977 graduate of Perryville High School, and holds an associate’s degree in Child Development from Mineral Area College. She first worked as a personal aide for two years, then worked as a paraprofessional in the resource and behavior support rooms. “I will remember District 32 as feeling like part of my family,” she said. “I feel pride in watching our students succeed and grow.” Her retirement plans are to “take one day at a time and relax. Hopefully, some traveling will happen.” Lisa and her husband Scott have two sons, Kyle (Leslie) Esselman, and Cory (Adelle) Esselman, and five grandchildren – Hunter, Halle, Grady, Ward, and Ian Esselmann.
Jackie Behrle
Jackie Behrle, a second grade teacher at Perryville Primary Center, is retiring after 30 years with District 32. She was a substitute for one year, and has taught for 29 years. She is a 1990 graduate of Perryville High School. She hold a bachelor of science degree in PreK-8 from Southeast Missouri State University, and a master’s degree in general education from Webster University. She said her favorite memories of D32 are “memories with my team, and fun times with the kids.” Her retirement plans are to spend more time camping, traveling, gardening, fishing, and relaxing. She and her husband Mike Behrle have one daughter, Christina Byrd of Gallatin, Tenn.
Lisa Pfeiffer
Lisa Pfeiffer, a middle school custodian, is retiring after 5 years with District 32. She said her favorite memories of D32 are of “working with Bonnie Tanz.” In her retirement, Lisa plans to enjoy life with her husband Doug traveling, camping, and gardening.
Betty Narens
Betty Narens, an elementary school custodian, is retiring after 16 years with District 32. She said her favorite thing about working at school is seeing the kids every day. She plans to enjoy life in retirement, spending more time with her family. Betty and her husband Mike have two daughters, Jenni (Josh) Wheeler and Missy Narens, and seven grandchildren: Travis, Collin, Max and Griffen Wheeler, and Lacey, Lily, and Chase Scamell. They have a Havanese named Rip.
Kimberly Shultz
Kimberly Shultz, the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at the high school, is retiring after 20 years with District 32. She earned her degree in family and consumer sciences education from Southeast Missouri State University. She said her favorite memories of working at the district are working with her students and becoming part of the community. In her retirement, Kim plans to spend more time with family and friends, travel, get a part-time job, and do crafts. She has two children, Nikki and Kacey, and six grands – Case, Ali, Kaydee, Jack, Noah, and Holly. She has a dog named Sprocket and a cat named Aquarius.