Congrats to our Retirees

Tri-Rivers thanks retirees—Kerry Beckel, Pam Miranda and Ed Henning—for their dedication and years of service to Tri-Rivers. We will miss you!

Kerry Beckel Retirement 2015wMrs. Beckel
Words of Wisdom
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”—St. Augustine
 
 “Nothing worth having comes easy.”
—Unknown author

Kerry Beckel started working at Tri-Rivers in 1984. She taught Horticulture to Senior and then Landscaping/Garden Center to combined Junior/Seniors classes. She also taught Earth Science, General Science and Biology. The last few years Mrs. Beckel was the Student Resource Center Coordinator.

Prior to Tri-Rivers, Mrs. Beckel worked for the Pearl Road Florist in Parma and for The Ohio State University Landscape Maintenance Department. She also taught Horticulture at Delaware JVS for three years.

“I’ve enjoyed all the different roles I’ve played here at Tri-Rivers, I especially enjoyed taking the students on field trips as I think that traveling and experiencing new places and activities is incredibly educational. The annual Winter Sports Trips and Canoe Trips were always fun,” said Mrs. Beckel. ” I’ve also taken students whitewater rafting in West Virginia, camping in the Smokies, and to Florida, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania to Horticulture Conferences. Those trips, though exhausting, were also some of the most memorable times for both me and my students.”

“My involvement in the Tri-Rivers Education Association and OEA has been instrumental in helping me to develop professionally,” said Mrs. Beckel. “I’ve been involved in almost every contract negotiation and as an officer, delegate, and building rep. This has helped me to stay informed about what’s going on at local, state and national levels.”

She and her husband, Dave, have been married for almost 34 years. ” I am truly blessed to share my life with someone who was willing to put up with my crazy work schedule and who also shares my interests.  He retires from his job as Director of Student Activities for Marion Technical College and The Ohio State University at Marion on the same day that I retire from TRCC.”

Mrs. Beckel graduated from Cleveland Central Catholic High School in 1976 where she attended the Washington Park Horticulture Center during her Junior and Senior years. “My Horticulture teacher, Steve Moldovan, was the type of teacher that truly made a difference in his students’ lives and that’s when I first realized that  I wanted to do the same thing.  I graduated from The Ohio State University in 1980 with a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Education and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture with a dual major in Agriculture Education and Horticulture.” 

The Beckels have two children, Meghan (29) and David (26) who both live in Denver. Meghan is a Senior Copywriter for Integer and David works for the Colorado Rockies as Manager of the Rockies Dugout Store in downtown Denver.

Upon retirement, she said, she said they both looking forward to just having time to spend together and chip away at the numerous to-do lists we’ve been putting off for the last 30 years or so. They also plan to travel more. “I enjoy just about any activities that have me outdoors including skiing, camping, backpacking, hiking, climbing, cycling and gardening. I love to travel and plan to do more of it and I also love to read.”

“Thank you for the opportunity to know all of you and to be paid to do something I’ve really enjoyed. I wish all of you the best of luck in all you do,” said Mrs. Beckel to the group attending the retirement celebration.

Pam Miranda retiree wMrs. Miranda
Words of Wisdom
“Never let a door close, always keep your
 options open.”

Pam Miranda was a Healthcare Professions Instructor at Tri-Rivers for five years. “I started my career as a nursing assistant and earned her ADN from MTC.  I worked at Morrow  County Hospital (MCH) as a Graduate nurse working in Med/ Surgery, ER, ECF and OB earning my RN.”

During her nursing career, she moved to Denver, Colorado where she worked in Coronary Step down. She then returned to Ohio and worked for 28.5 years at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Intensive Coronary Care. “I worked for a total of 29.5 years at MCH as an RN varies positions—ER, ICU/PCU, ECF cardiac rehab, utilization review, quality.

Mrs. Miranda received her BSN from The Ohio State University. In retirement she plans to continue to teach STNA. She also will enjoy music and travel more.
For two summers she worked as a nurse for Drum Corp International) and supporting other music organizations.

Mrs. Miranda has one son, Sean, who is a Public Safety major at Hocking College working presently as an EMT. He is a graduate of Tri-Rivers Adult Education. “I also raised a nephew who has a daughter so I am a grandma!”

She said her career highlights at Tri-Rivers included attending CTSO camps as the nurse and advisor.

“I hope to continue to send students on to their life journey pathway—employment ready and college bound,” she concluded.

Ed HenningMr. Henning
Words of Wisdom
“Be kind to others and don’t judge until you hear the entire story.”

Ed Henning has worked at Tri-Rivers for five years as a Science Instructor and Physical Education Instructor. “I started  out paying my way through school as a bartender. I worked at Amerikid Day Care for a year while I finished my science certification. Then started teaching at Edison Middle school in 1975 for the Marion City Schools. I continued to work for the city schools for the next 35 years retiring from there in 2010.”

“I started at Tri Rivers that fall. During my 40 years of teaching I coached 109 seasons of football, cross country, wrestling, girls basketball, and track.”

Mr. Henning graduated from Memorial High School, then attended Findlay College (University). “I took classes through The Ohio State University and Kent State. I earned a Masters Degree from Ashland University.”

“At Tri-Rivers I enjoyed working with the students and faculty—Tri Rivers has been great,” said Mr. Henning. “The staff especially made it easy because they care both about each other and the students we work with.”

“I would like to thank all of you who helped me during my transition to Tri-Rivers and the students that have left their mark on me. I still believe there should be a handbook of all the acronyms used at TriRivers for any new faculty or staff— the first year was quite a learning experience!”

Mr. Henning enjoys all kinds of sports, especially golf and water sports with a little fishing on the side.

“I have been married for 43 years to my best friend, Jo, who has been my strength and a great listener. I have three children Teri, Kelli, and Scott. I have two grandchildren Austin and Hailie,” he said.

Upon retirement, “I plan to continue as a substitute teacher with Tri-Rivers,  spend some time with my wife at Lake Erie and watch the grandkids play sports and school activities,” said Mr. Henning.