White Plains City School District honors retirees for lifetimes of service

The White Plains City School District honored its retiring teachers and staff members during a heartfelt ceremony Monday evening, celebrating decades of dedication to students, families and the school community.

A touching video highlighted the evening, with retirees sharing favorite memories from their careers and reflecting on what they will miss most about their time in the district. Their recollections ran the gamut from cherished relationships with students and colleagues to moments that defined their years in White Plains.

Following the video, District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Ricca and Dr. Tammy Cosgrove, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, paid tribute to the retirees and their lasting impact on the district.

"Congratulations, and just thank you for all of the years and all of the time and attention that you put toward supporting your students over the course of the years," Dr. Ricca said.

He praised the retirees for the many ways they enriched school communities, whether through creative graduation and moving-up ceremonies, coming up with daily jokes, maintaining school facilities or helping families navigate challenges with compassion.

"You've done it all. And you've done it with grace and professionalism," Dr. Ricca said. "It's been an extraordinary honor to be able to work alongside you."

He encouraged the retirees to enjoy the next chapter of their lives while reminding them that they would always be welcome back in the district.

"You have really truly spent a lifetime in service to this community, to our children and to our profession," he said. "You've been giants and you've been folks who we can all look up to and lean against."

Dr. Cosgrove shared many of the sentiments retirees expressed in interviews leading up to the ceremony. 

Among the memories they treasured were working alongside colleagues who care deeply about students, watching former students return as co-workers, helping children discover a love of reading and creating classroom experiences that inspired confidence and joy.

One retiree spoke about spending a lifetime in White Plains schools as a student, teacher and parent, while another described teaching as "a source of joy for me, not just a profession."

"There were so many wonderful sentiments," Dr. Cosgrove said.

She also offered a lighthearted glimpse into retirement life, joking that retirees would soon hear comments such as, "You look 10 years younger," and, "I am so jealous of you."

"They will definitely say, 'It's just not the same without you,'" she added.

At the same time, Dr. Cosgrove emphasized the profound impact the retirees have had on generations of students.

"When you think about the multitude of students whose lives you have touched, I hope you can appreciate the true magic of our profession," she said.

Following the remarks, each retiree was presented with a certificate in recognition of their years of service and contributions to the district.

"I wholeheartedly wish you the retirement of your dreams, and the sense of satisfaction of knowing you have left an indelible mark on this family that we call a school district," Dr. Cosgrove said.