14. Joan, You will be sorrowfully missed. You are ALWAYS willing to help. You are a good listener!! You are sensitive, compassionate. You are bubbly, energetic, and fun. You have a great sense of humor, and I love your enthusiasm for learning. Have a fantastic retirement, Ida is losing one of its best. We will miss you! Tracy Steils
15. As her retirement approached, I tried to think of a story or conversation that epitomized Joan Boyer. I wasn’t able to come up with a single event, so I’ll just summarize the qualities that I have observed in her over the years. I’ve worked with Joan as a fellow teacher, while she was Curriculum Coordinator, and most recently as my Principal. The character traits that stand out are energy, passion for education, and devotion to doing what is best for the kids. While Joan and I have disagreed from time to time, I have never had reason to doubt that she was always concerned about the best interests of the students. Feisty, opinionated, and strong-willed are good descriptors, but also caring – about students and staff alike. Joan – it has been a pleasure working with you. Enjoy your retirement in your beloved Upper Peninsula – you have earned it. - Jay Sinclair
16. Dear Joan, It has been enjoyable working with you these past few years. You are such a hard worker and have such a great work ethic. You don’t ask anyone to do anything you wouldn’t do and that is commendable. But you are also fun to work with - nothing stuffy or stodgy about you! You see the up side to things and that is very refreshing. You give everyone a chance (sometimes 2 or 3 of them!) You are a wonderful advocate for all kids. You will be truly missed here by both staff and students. There are many things that make me smile when I think of you but the best one is when I call you in the summer (after 11:00 am of course!) at your “CAMP” and you answer telling me you are enjoying a Mudslide at that particular time. I don’t see a Mudslide bottle or an advertisement for them without thinking of you and smiling! Best wishes to you whatever you do in your retirement. I hope your travels take you far and that you enjoy good health and happiness! Happy Retirement! Beth Rupp
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18. I will always be grateful for Joan’s help when I had a study hall in the middle school with some kids that were difficult. She would take them to work on the murals that hang in the study hall. I was always amazed at the way she was able to handle the individuals and get the best out of them. She did an amazing job! - Forrest Wenman
19. The world is really a small place, and so many wonderful things happen to all of us to make us all closer together. Who would have ever thought that being nursery school chaperones one day, co-workers the next, and working together as a team for the last 27 years. We have had some good laughs through the years. I will truly miss your wonderful smile and upbeat personality. It has been a real pleasure knowing you and considering you a special friend. Fondly, Cheryl Throne Dear Joan, How the time flies by – Remember when we were younger and our sweet little boys were so care free and innocent? Do you remember Love N’ Care Nursery School? Well, I do. This was where I first met you. We were parent chaperones for the annual trip to the Toledo Zoo. Your son, Tim, and my son, Craig, rode the nursery school bus to the zoo, and we were suppose to follow them, but we (as good moms do) wanted to get to the zoo first and have things ready to go when the children got there – got lost in south Toledo. By the time we got to the zoo the children were there and waiting for the two of us. It was a fine trip for us. I don’t think I have ever gone that way again, but it sure was scenic, and we chatted and laughed the whole way there. I knew from the moment I met you, you were a take charge kind of gal. You were the driver, but I sure must not have been the best co-pilot. But we did make it, and had a wonderful time there.
20. Retirement is a time For feeling glad to be alive, A time when friendships blossom And enthusiasms thrive. A chance to do the special things You always wished you could. Retirement is a special time For knowing…life is good. Congratulations on your Retirement
21. Joan – when I think of you, your smile and laughter are the first things that come to mind. You’ve been so great to work with all these years at Ida. I sure will miss you. Lorna Myers
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23. Joan Boyer has left her mark on the Ida Public Schools in so many ways. Joan single handedly brought technology to the district and then expanded it beyond anything the other county schools had. With her guidance, for many years the Ida Public Schools led the county in reading scores. But probably her greatest achievement was the Collaborative School Improvement Plan that put decision making in the hands of the teachers. Joan is a professional in every sense of the word. Being Joan's colleague made me a better educator. We worked together on many projects and committees and I always grew as a result. Joan is a friend in every sense of the word and having her as my friend over the years made me a better person. I am sorry that I could not be there today t o share in your celebration. My sincerest congratulations and best wishes to you, Joan. - Jan Ray
24. Thanks for all your support and encouragement over the years! You are awesome! You have given above and beyond to help both staff and students. You have been an example of being innovative, positive, and caring. We will miss you!!! Lanna Harmon
25. Dear Joan, I remember meeting you for the first time 36 years ago when I was in the third grade. You were my Speed Reading teacher! Remember that fad? I can remember coming to your classroom for my first Speed Reading session. You showed me a bunch of pretty colored folders to choose from. Each one had a Walt Disney character sticker on the front. I distinctly remember choosing a pale blue folder with Donald Duck on the front. Isn’t it strange how some memories are embedded in our minds? I think I remember that day so well for two reasons. First, I felt so special and important because I was a good reader, and I was one of the kids chosen to leave the regular classroom for half an hour and go to this special class with this really nice lady. And that’s the second reason I remember that day so well. I liked you so much because you were so kind and pleasant and approachable with children. You made all children feel special and good about themselves. (And, I thought you were so pretty, too!) You have made a positive impact on children throughout your career. And this year in particular, you have made such a positive difference in the Middle school for students and staff, alike. You’ve been a fantastic principal. I appreciate and thank you. I wish you well as you begin the next chapter of your life. Many Blessings, Kim Gulley
26. When I think of Joan, I can hear her laugh. - Connie DuCharme
27. I cannot tell you how much I admire you, Joan, and how much I have learned from you over the years. Without your influence and presence, this District would have missed out on so much! Thank you for the lessons, the friendship, the support, the laughter, and just for being you! Enjoy retirement – I know you will – and keep in touch! Amy LaVigne-Benore
28. Wow, what a passionate, dedicated, optimistic, never take “no” for an answer kind of lady. I envy her energy level at this stage in her life, and I hope to have the same relationship with these students that she does after 41 years here. Thank you for your drive, personality, and willingness to help out and do what’s right for our kids! Jen Butz
29. Words that describe JOAN Kind … Generous …. Impulsive … Eternally Optimistic …Sees the best in everyone …Enriches the lives of people she comes in contact with …Contagious … Energetic …Fun …Embraces life … Forever young … Greatly respected …Highly intelligent … as observed by Linda Cousino
30. There once was a principal named Joan, Who decided that no one should moan. She played a great host, And satisfied most, We’re so sorry she was only on loan! MAY GOD BLESS YOUR RETIREMENT WITH MANY HAPPY TIMES! Margie Thomson
31. Joan, You’re going to be greatly missed! You’ve been a great mentor, encourager, and friend. During my first year of teaching, it meant so much that you took me under your wing, believed in me, and supported me. We had so much fun coaching MATHCOUNTS together. I wanted to find a MATHCOUNTS photo of you, but you were always taking the pictures! Maybe you can take up photography now in your retirement. During your teaching/administration years, you’ve touched so many students’ lives because of the way you encourage, believe, and think positively with the students. I hope that I can be at least half as positive and enthusiastic as you when I am close to retirement. We know you love working with students and anyone can understand your passion for teaching just by talking with you for a few seconds! You’ve been a great example, and we will continue to follow the path that you’ve set before us. Melissa Raymond
32. Open. Caring. Honest. Approachable. Intelligent. Full of life. Friend. Thank you, Joan, for giving me a chance to be a part of Ida’s amazing community. Enjoy your much deserved retirement! -Nicole Ryan
34. Joan turns a corner in her life of being a party girl! By Sharon Kimling and Becky Burkett
35. This is what Joan will be doing and you will know where to find her somewhere on a beach! What did she discover? By Sharon Kimling and Becky Burkett
36. Joan, It’s been a pleasure working with you for so many years, and in so many different capacities. Thanks alone will never be enough for all the days I came into your office because I needed someone to help me through the “rough days”. You were a great counselor and supporter. Thanks for believing in me. I will never forget all the conferences we went to starting with Reading conferences years ago in the elementary. I was the new teacher then and I couldn’t believe how much you, Mary Gianino, and the rest of the gang would laugh! Then came the MACUL conferences. You were right there to support me when I presented and afterwards we would enjoy some great food and spirits again mixed in with a dose of laughter. Next came the Michiana health conferences where they fed us so much we could barely stay awake through all the sessions. We also learned who was really under the disguise of “Cruella DeVille” when all along we thought it was “Gus”! Being innovative has always been your trademark. I remember back in 1990 when I brought my resource room students to the computer lab and we actually figured out how to import video, from a VCR, into HyperStudio . Those students were so pumped! I had one that jumped 4 reading grade levels that year by motivating him to go to the computer lab and do such projects. Your innovation and pushing the envelope to new arenas in technology have continued with the videos, slide shows, and dancing during lunch hours in the middle school cafeteria. We’ll have to continue sharing delicious dinners at Bravos! So let me know when you are in town and I will do the same if I’m in the UP with kayaks on my car! Making the most of each moment, Shelley
37. Remember lunches with Joan Roe et al………including student teacher (winter of ’79), Sue Vaughan, better known as Sue Holbrook who still appreciates the shower of recipes given to her as her first wedding approached…… thanks for all your enthusiasm throughout the years! - Sue Holbrook
38. Joan went through a phase that she said, “ Slick,” to describe everything. -Hannah Teague
39. Kane Pillar Memories Nancy said, “Just say NO!” But Joanie said, “That just won’t go.” I’m having a meeting and I need you there. I can’t get by with an empty chair. Improvement plans you have to make; I’m sorry about your elbow break. I’ll pick you up and take you home. I’ll even put up with a little groan. Those “pillars” of “kane” just have to work. Duty to school, you cannot shirk. Fravel and Have Tun Lood Guck! Sue Carter
40. I have had trouble coming up with a good retirement message for Joan. She has done so much for the school and it was difficult to narrow down one thing that stood out in my mind that I could attribute to Joan. I know that Joan always has her mind working and likes to get involved with students concerning their activities and what is on their minds. I guess she gets involved so the students get involved. I also know she can be a “scrapper” when it comes to getting things done for the good of the school. So, I went on the Internet and found a quote that I think might say it all. The quote is from Mohammed Ali (he was a scrapper, too). The quote is: “ Don’t count the days but make the days count” I think this quote could sum up my thoughts of Joan and her years of being with us. I do wish all the best in her, as she puts it, “2 nd childhood.” -Richard Russell
41. You are a person of integrity and talent. I will personally miss your positive attitude and warm smile. You always have a kind word. Thank you for your friendship and professional assistance during the last eight years. As the new school year opens, I hope that you will remember us. We will never forget you and your genuine care and concern for the students of Ida. I hope you have a most enjoyable and well deserved retirement. Kathy Whitman
42. When I think of Joan, the words, “enthusiasm, spark, and full-steam ahead,” come to mind! Cathy Griffith
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