Longtime Livingston Teachers, School Staff Honored Before Their Sunset

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Anyone can use a break after decades of standing in, or in front of, a classroom.

The Livingston Board of Education held its annual Retirement Ceremony during its public meeting on Monday, June 12, 2023.

Sue Burman, LPS Director of Human Resources, recognized all of the employees who retired from the district over the past school year.

Those present at the meeting were individually introduced and received a commemorative engraved clock in honor of their years of service to the district.

This school year’s retirees included Gerard Amsellem, David Arensburg, Kathleen Berrios, Arlene Brown, Susan Cunfer, Roberto Dominguez, Thomas Doublas, Alan Farmer, Lisa Friedman, Laurie Geraghty, Robin Goldberg, Peter Gutheil, Diane Henry, Philip Johnson Jr., Ilze Kancans, Desmond Kidd, Jennifer Larsen, Joseph Matthews, James Murray, Daniel Paris, Tracy Rosenberg, Suzanne Steckert, Edwin Tomlinson, Douglas Weber and Eric Weis.

Retirees present at Monday’s meeting were David Arensburg, Thomas Douglas, Ilze Kancans, Jennifer Larsen, Suzanne Steckert and Edwin Tomlinson.

Mrs. Burman read specific comments about some of the honorees. Here's what she said:

JEN LARSEN

Over the course of her career, Jen Larsen has taught at Hillside Elementary School, Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, both middle schools, as well as LHS. She is someone who is dedicated to helping make LPS the best it can be by supporting students, families and staff in a variety of ways. She has served as advisor to the Student Council and Fashion Club, and has served as a PTA rep. She has attended countless school events, multicultural nights, school plays, concerts, graduations, school carnivals, and senior games. She has written curriculum, piloted new programs, presented at BOE meetings, sat on numerous district committees, showcased student work at county shows, and even delivered supplies to fashion students during COVID lockdown so that they could work hands-on and collaborate virtually. In addition to all of that she has served as vice-president of the LEA and served as the chair of the LEA Negotiations Team.

SUZANNE STECKERT

The words “passion, advocacy and high expectations” define the 27 years of Suzanne Steckert’s teaching career.

From teaching science at Heritage Middle School and planning Mad Money auctions, to being a Camp Director and anchoring Mt. Pleasant's sixth grade ELA department, Suzanne dedicated herself to the students of LPS.

During her employment, she was a diehard professional development participant, which has taken her to the rain forests of Costa Rica, to the Civil Rights trail in Alabama and to Jiangsu, China. Her outspokenness and willingness to advocate for students and teachers alike has defined her career.

Suzanne will spend her retirement between the warm beaches of Dominican Republic and the ice rinks of New England as she works on becoming a judging official for US figure skating.

DAVID ARENSBURG

As the son of teachers, from a long-line of teachers, David Arensburg has been a public school teacher for half of his life. Over the 25 years he has spent working in the Livingston Public School system, he estimates that he has been a teacher for almost 2,000 Livingston students. David says that his biggest accomplishment is the stewardship role Ihe had for the time that they were with me. He explained, “Making a difference has always been important to me. For that I am grateful.”

ILZE KANCANS

There is a saying that you should leave the party while you are still having fun. Ilze Kancans says that she did exactly that by retiring this year. She said that Livingston High School was a most wonderful place to spend the last few years of her career. She wishes to express great thanks to all of her “great colleagues” in the Science Department. She added a special thanks to Abby and Brian who were always there for her. Most of all, she said that she would like to thank all of her students. “I loved seeing the world through your eyes!” she concluded.

EDWIN TOMLINSON

For the past 17 years, Edwin has made sure that LPS was a safe place to learn for students and a safe place for staff to work. Previous to working in Livingston, Edwin worked for 17 years in the South Orange Maplewood district. His colleagues report that Edwin is a wonderful person and has been the best Building Custodian. Edwin’s colleagues stated “His smile lights up our rooms after school every afternoon.” Edwin’s retirement plans include traveling, tending to his garden, listening to music and just enjoying this time! Edwin you will be missed! You are wished health, happiness and fun times in your retirement!

TOM DOUGLAS

Tom Douglas has worked for LPS since 2007 managing the district’s technology, and improving our network capabilities. He has navigated the district through many system upgrades, new platforms, migrations and worked diligently to help the district recover from a ransomware attack in the fall of 2019. Networks, computers and customer service to employees are just a few of Tom’s many talents. We always joked you never knew where Tom was on his days off - he could have been driving one of his many cars, flying a plane, or skiing in the alps. Tom, we wish you a lifetime of more adventures as you move northeast - enjoy your retirement and don’t block my phone number, because I will still be calling when I have an issue!