After 27 years of dedicated service in education, Tyrone Area Elementary School special education paraprofessional Tina Bilka will retire at the end of the school year.
Throughout her career, Bilka has worked with students of many ages and abilities, and enjoyed helping them all learn and grow.
“Reflecting on a career that spanned several diverse roles, I’ve had the privilege of growing from my early days as a paraprofessional at the high school to teaching sign language within the elementary autism support program,” Bilka said.
Bilka takes pride in working with the teachers to guide their students through each school year, watching their progress, and celebrating their achievements along the way.
Her coworkers said that dedication to students has been a central part of Bilka’s career.
“I have only known Tina for a short amount of time, but it has been my privilege to work with her,” TAES Assistant Principal Kellie Richner said. “She is dedicated to the students at TAES. She is kind and caring. She is reliable. I can count on her to help anywhere she is needed.”
Fellow TAES paraprofessional Noelle Lucas, who has worked with Bilka for the last 10 years, said Bilka’s care for students and positive attitude made her a valued coworker and, even more importantly, a friend.
“I am truly going to miss her next year,” Lucas said. “I have so many great memories [of her.] We always had a wonderful working relationship with many laughs. She is truly a caring person, and I’m so happy to call her my friend.”
Lucas said some of her favorite memories with Bilka came from the time they spent together working directly with students.
“We have had so many fun memories with the students and each other,” Lucas said. “We always made learning fun for our students, and they enjoyed the love and laughter in our classroom. I have too many great memories to single out one.”
Beyond the classroom, Bilka said she has also valued the sense of community that came with working at TAES and building meaningful relationships with students, families, and coworkers.
Elementary teacher Kristy Brennen has worked closely with Bilka and said that she will be greatly missed.
“The way she cared for and worked hard to help our students make progress with their communication skills is what I will remember most about my time with her this past school year,” Brennan said.
Special Education Teacher and Reading Specialist Lauren Garda said Bilka’s positive attitude is contagious.
“I have not worked closely with her, but she always has a smile on her face and has a positive attitude,” Garda said.
Her husband, Rudy Bilka, an eighth-grade English teacher and middle school yearbook adviser, is also retiring from TASD at the end of the school year.
The Bilkas are looking forward to traveling to new places, spending more time outdoors, camping at the beach, shark fishing on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and spending more time with family, especially their grandchildren
She also plans to stay active by working out and continuing creative hobbies like crocheting.
After nearly three decades in education, Bilka’s coworkers said her work has been much appreciated, and her presence will be missed.
“Tina will be missed at TAES,” Richner said. “I wish her a beautiful and relaxing retirement.”
Lucas also wished Bilka well as she begins her next chapter in life.
“I wish Tina all the best,” Lucas said. “She deserves it.”
