After dedicating 28 years of her life to the education of preschool and daycare students, long time TAES preschool teacher Linda Klesius will retire at the end of this school year.

Klesius has been at Tyrone Elementary for nine years teaching preschool and for 19 years before that at the Tyrone YMCA.

Klesius works hard to make learning as fun as possible for all of her students. She incorporates her love of science into many of her classroom activities and hoped to instill a love learning in her young students. One of her favorite parts of being a teacher was seeing her students faces light up when they understood a new concept.

“Linda will be greatly missed. Her love for children and the special and creative ways she makes learning fun for them is very evident. Plus she always adds some humor to our day. She also has the ability to make each child feel special and important. Linda is also a great team leader in our daycare program… I am truly blessed to have worked with Linda,” said Robin Snider, a coworker of Klesius.

Klesius is also an avid gardener and was part of the community’s Garden Club for several years. Klesius’s green thumb did not go unnoticed by her colleagues.

“Daycare staff were always giving Linda their ‘near dead’ plants to rejuvenate,” said Elementary Principal Amanda Kurtz, “Linda has the greenest thumb around. She can make anything grow. Many of us would take our near dead or completely dead plants to her and somehow she would revive them.  She could name many of the flowers/plants that we had in the rooms for students to learn more about.”

Klesius dedication and love for her job have left a lasting impact on coworkers and students alike.  

“Linda is such a joy to be around.  She always has a smile on her face. Linda was always a team player and would share lesson plans and ideas with everyone.  She was a vital person in the daycare and will be greatly missed,” said Angela Diebold.

After retiring Klesius hopes to fill her time traveling, and of course gardening among other things.

“I am looking forward to spending more time in my flower gardens and traveling to new places. The ways in which I can spend all of my new found free time are endless and I look forward to these new opportunities,” said Klesius.

Klesius has touched many lives of her coworkers and students.  She will be missed by all for what has done with daycare program over the years.

“She’s a person you can laugh with and talk to about anything.  She’s always there for you to bounce ideas off of or just when you need someone to talk to.  Linda is a person that will be greatly missed,” said Diebold.

Klesius is really proud of everything she has accomplished over her years and is proud of the school she has worked for.  

“I will miss the wonderful friends I have made during my time spent here at TAES.” said Klesius.

One final piece of wisdom she would like to leave to her fellow teachers is, “Always believe in yourself.”