Paraprofessional Karen Rumberger will retire at the end of this school year after nearly 10 years of service to the Tyrone Area School District.

Rumberger spent all ten years at the Tyrone Area Elementary School, helping autistic support teachers teach their students how to read, write, and develop positive relationships with their teachers, staff, peers, and the community.

Rumberger said that she will cherish the memories and lasting friendships she made along the way.

“Everyone I have worked with, students and teachers, have made my years here perfect,” Rumberger said.

She has worked closely with many teachers over the years but currently works in Kristy Brennan’s classroom.

Brennan credits Rumberger with having a great high work ethic and positive attitude.

“Karen works with our students every day to help them improve their writing skills,” Brennan says, “She also often prepares craft projects, which allow students to have fun, while practicing language skills and following directions.”

Rumberger loves the children and adores helping them learn the basic skills they need, as well as providing these kids with memories they can hold with them forever.

Her most memorable accomplishments were helping students to be independent and be included in the school and the community.

“In my third year here we took five of our students to the prom,” Rumberger said, “We worked on their outfits and got the money to pay for the prom.”

She says that she will miss her students dearly but is excited for what’s next to come. Rumberger says that she has some very exciting plans for retirement.

For her first post-retirement adventure, she and her brother plan to take a trip out west to California.

Her friends and co-workers wish her the best as she enters into the next chapter of her life.0

Rumberger is a great asset to the Tyrone community and she will be missed.