Congratulations to all our retirees!
On Thursday, June 12th, family members and staff gathered to celebrate our 2025 Class of Retirees. Thank you for your dedication and passion for learning. We wish you the best of relaxation, happiness, and joy for your retirement. Congratulations and thank you for all you have done for our students, staff and families!
Quakertown Elementary School:
With an admirable tenure spanning many dedicated years, Mrs. Maria Carreras has been an invaluable asset to the Quakertown Community School District, specifically as a bilingual Educational Assistant at Quakertown Elementary School. Her remarkable passion for fostering student success and her commitment to equitable education are truly exemplary. Maria has played a crucial role as a vital liaison for numerous families, skillfully navigating cultural and linguistic differences to ensure every student feels supported and understood. Her profound impact extends far beyond the classroom; she has embraced the roles of a compassionate friend, an inspiring mentor, and a steadfast student advocate for hundreds of young learners, helping them to thrive both academically and personally. Mrs. Carreras has not only been a constant and reliable presence but also a source of immense positivity and support at Quakertown Elementary, and her absence will be profoundly felt across the entire school community.
- Dr. Michael Zackon, Director of Secondary Education
Pfaff Elementary School:
Kristine Stottlemyer has taught in the Quakertown Community School District for 23 years! She has been at Pfaff Elementary from their first day in 2005, and is a true treasure to the 4th and 5th Grade, She will be deeply missed!
Kathryn Panny began her career as a student teacher at Neidig Elementary in 1988! She has been a part of the Quakertown Community School District for almost 36 years! She has taught all over the QCSD, and is finishing her career at Pfaff! She will be truly missed.
Neidig Elementary School:
Congratulations to Jay Detweiler! Jay is one of the hardest-working teachers and colleagues that Neidig Elementary has ever had. Jay has always been there, in front and behind the scenes, there to help anyone at Neidig who needed a hand. And the team at Neidig will truly miss Jay!
And congratulations to Patricia O’Neill! Patricia has been with Neidig Elementary School for 24 years! She is an incredible Instructional Support Teacher and is always looking for new ways to help her students meet their goals. Our team at Neidi will deeply miss her, but we are so happy for both her and Jay. Enjoy your retirement!
Trumbauersville Elementary:
Thank you to Beth McCartney for your 29 years of service to the Quakertown Community School District. Beth started at Trumbauersville as an instructional aide. She then went on to become a substitute teacher and eventually worked at Trumbauersville Elementary full-time. She is an amazing teacher, and according to Dr. Schmucker, is a “no-nonsense” and “incredibly kind” person. She has been a critical part of the Trumbauersville team, helping our students achieve success in mathematics. Congratulations Beth! Enjoy your retirement!
We are so thankful for the 22 years we have had with Pat Wilson! Pat taught 4th and 5th grade with an unmatched passion and energy. She could connect with her students so well and bring lessons to life in her classroom. This past year, she taught 4th and 5th grade science and social studies, and happened to lead the Trumbauersville team in the Bucks County STEM Design Challenge. The team finished in 2nd place against 80 talented teams across the county! She went above and beyond to help our students not only bring their idea to life, but also to prepare to present their project. She reminded them to smile, create informational handouts, and make eye contact with the judges – all things that made a huge difference to our students. Thank you, Pat, for all your hard work!
Richland Elementary:
Charlotte Goepfert served the children of QCSD for 21 years! Charlotte was a part of the Cafeteria team at Richland Elementary School. She will be greatly missed, and we hope she has a wonderful retirement. Thank you Charlotte for your many years of dedication to the Quakertown Community School District.
Luke Witts is a beloved Richland teacher with 19 years in the Quakertown Community School District. After 25 years in the business world, Luke decided to switch gears and give teaching a try! He taught third, fourth and fifth grade. Always up for a challenge, and to challenge his students, he was voted “Most likely to say YES to an out there idea!” But Richland won’t miss Luke, because he has already committed to numerous volunteer opportunities at Richland for the next school year. Mr. Witts has yet to miss any Richland events, and he’s not starting now! Thank you for all you’ve given to the Quakertown Community School District!
Strayer Middle School:
Sara Wignovich is the Quakertown Middle School librarian for both Strayer Middle School and the Sixth Grade Center, and has served the QCSD for the last 28 years! Her love of literacy and ability to connect students with the love of reading, has made her a true asset to the Middle School staff, teachers and students. Each year, the students were privileged to have Sara as an Advisor for our Reading Olympics, and we greatly hope she will continue. Thank you, Ms. Wignovich, for all you do! You will be dearly missed.
Terri Kelly has served the Quakertown Community School District for the last 38 years. Wearing many hats over the years, Terri worked at Tohickon Valley, Pfaff Elementary School, Neidig Elementary School, Milford Middle School, and Strayer Middle School. She has also worked as a Learning Facilitator, an Instructional Coach, a Title 1 Coordinator, a Program Coordinator, and a Reading Specialist, with nine of her last years at Strayer Middle School. Terri’s ability to instill confidence in her students was truly inspiring. Thank you, Terri, for all you have given to QCSD families and students! Congratulations on your retirement!
Quakertown Community High School:
Connie Derewal’s warm smile has greeted visitors of the Quakertown Community High School for the last 31 years. She has served the QCSD in so many various roles, she is known as “the person who knows it all.” Principal van 't Hoenderdaal said, “When I’m out for the day, no one notices. When Connie’s out, everyone notices!” She’s person we’ve come to lean on, who always goes above and beyond to help us all succeed. Thank you, Connie, for all you have done for our school community!
Congratulations to Shelly Fehnell, Quakertown Community School District, and High School educator for 17 years! Shelly has taken on various leadership roles, including many crucial behind-the-scenes work, including mastering our attendance records, and preparing us for the Keystone Exams. Her attention to detail and organization has made her the perfect fit for the role, and will surely be missed.
The halls of Quakertown High are a little less bright without Rea Lemuell. Otherwise known as “Officer Rea,” Principal van ‘t Hoenderdaal said, “No one gets past Rea without a hall pass!” But her heart is much bigger than her bite. Notorious for never missing a Panther Football game, Rea has dedicated 29 years to the Quakertown Community School District, and her presence will be greatly missed. Thank you Rea, for all you have given to our students, staff, and teachers.
Over the past 28 years, teacher Susan Goodwin has worn many hats with grace and determination at the Quakertown Community High School. A true team player, Susan not only shifted to QCHS’s AP Seminar class for the past 5 years, and championed the flagship program. In addition, she also took on the challenge of teaching 10th-grade English, a course that ends with a Keystone Exam, and yielded great success. Thank you, Susan, for your seamless ability to adjust and make great strides in everything you do!
Our music department is losing a legend. Thank you, Frank Parker, for your amazing 28 years of passion and vigor for music and our students. The time, love, and dedication you have given to the Quakertown Community School District are immeasurable and more valuable than gold. Thank you for your energy and ability to transcend your passion and drive for excellence to our students.
Brenda Sharp has been known throughout the Quakertown Community High School for bringing smiles to whomever she meets. “It’s simply impossible to leave Brenda’s presence and not be smiling,” said Principal van ‘t Hoenderdaal. Her incredibly positive attitude has made her a teacher students adore and a person everyone could count on for a warm smile and good nature. For 20 years, Brenda has been making “Bad Days” brighter and has been a true mentor to her students and colleagues. Her “sunshine” will be missed at QCHS, but we are so happy for her next chapter. Congratulations Brenda!
Jennifer Stover bleeds blue and white. A Quakertown Panther through and through, Jennifer started her career with the QCSD 32 years ago. A master of our curriculum, Jennifer knew how to empower and push her students to achieve not only academic success but athletic success as well. In her last year with QCHS, Jennifer became the Assistant Coach of the Girls Bowling Team and became not only a lover of the game but a true advocate for the sport. Her energy and enthusiasm will be greatly missed next year.
Some would say Audrey Waddell is the math wizard of Quakertown Community High School. In her 36 years teaching with us, she has been a mathematics leader, teaching all levels of math, including AP Calculus. Behind the scenes, she was a jack of all trades, helping and lending her guidance wherever she could. Known as the “Right Hand of the Athletics Department,” Audrey has always been there to help out and ensure all the bases are covered. We are still uncovering all the hats she wore, and know we will miss her beyond compare. Thank you Audrey for all you’ve done for the QCSD, QCHS, and our students. It has been a privilege to work alongside you.
Dr. Kim Finnerty has been an excellent educator, with 19 years of experience working within the Quakertown Community School District. Specifically, she’s worked nine years in elementary teaching, three as Dean of Students, two as an Assistant Principal at Strayer Middle School, four as House Principal at Quakertown Community High School, and 1 as our Interim Principal for Quakertown Elementary School this past year. Kim has always cared deeply about her students and colleagues, advocating for inclusivity and equal access to a quality education for all learners. Our students will truly miss Dr. Finnerty, but some will get the chance to work with her again. Dr. Finnerty’s next chapter includes a partnership with Penn State Lehigh Valley and her nonprofit organization, giving our students a chance to get hands-on experience at our summer leadership program. Her kindness and compassion are treasured and will be greatly missed. Thank you, Dr. Kim Finnerty, for all you do!
QCSD Administrative Office:
Jacki Clymer began her career with the Quakertown Community School District 32 years ago! Jacki started her career in Science and went on to become a pivotal leader of the STEM team in Quakertown and beyond. Jacki has written Science content at the state level for the Department of Education, and is retiring as the STEM Coordinator for the Quakertown Community School District. Jacki has been instrumental to our students, staff and administration, securing grant funding for our STEM programs, and creating countless program initiatives for our K-5 Design Thinking Courses, and next year… because of Jacki…. 6th grade as well! Her brilliance and dedication to QCSD will be a part of our STEM lessons for a long, long time! Thank you Jacki Clymer for all you’ve done for QCSD and taking STEM to the next level in our classrooms!
Thank you Harold Gale for your 24 years of service to the Quakertown Community School District. Harold was part of the IT Team at the District Administrative Offices. He will be truly missed, and we wish him all the best during his retirement!
Eileen Finlayson has been a dedicated member of QCSD since 2011, serving in a variety of roles including cafeteria staff, classroom aide, building secretary, and Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent. Most recently, she has taken on the role of District Safety Coordinator. Eileen is known for her professionalism and calm demeanor. We thank her for her years of dedicated service- she will be missed! - Dr. Lisa Hoffman, Assistant Superintendent