Prior Lake Savage Education Association

05/22/2026

Congratulations Jill!!!

Celebrating Our Retirees: Jill Selchow 🍎

After 27 years in education — including 23 years with Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools — Twin Oaks Middle School FACS teacher Jill Selchow is retiring, closing out a career filled with learning, laughter, and lasting connections.

Throughout her time in the classroom, Jill helped students build real-life skills while creating a space filled with humor, care, and memorable moments. She reflects fondly on the countless “funny stories” collected over the years and the relationships built with both students and colleagues.

In retirement, Jill is looking forward to traveling, visiting her children, reading, cooking, and finally having more time and energy to enjoy all the things she loves.
When asked what she’ll miss most, Jill shared it’s her coworkers and students — the everyday interactions and connections that made her career so meaningful.
Her advice to those continuing in education is simple but powerful: “It’s easy to focus on the negatives in teaching—choose to stay positive and be kind to one another!”

Thank you, Jill, for your years of dedication, positivity, and the many memories you’ve created along the way. 💙

05/22/2026

Congratulations Kim!!!

Celebrating Our Retirees: Kim Koepp 🎉

After 30 years of dedicated service to students in Prior Lake—including 20 years with Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools—we’re honoring Kim Koepp, School Social Worker at Hidden Oaks Middle School, on her retirement.

Throughout her career, Kim has made a lasting impact by supporting students’ social and emotional growth, building meaningful relationships, and helping countless young people feel safe, understood, and empowered to succeed.

As she begins this next chapter, Kim is looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren, traveling, enjoying sunsets on the beach, and tackling long-awaited projects.

Her parting advice reminds us all of what matters most: build strong relationships, give yourself grace, lean on your team, and never underestimate the power of kindness—and a well-stocked candy drawer.

Thank you, Kim, for your compassion, dedication, and the difference you’ve made in the lives of so many students and colleagues. Wishing you all the best in retirement!

05/22/2026

Congratulations Sarah!!!

Celebrating Our Retirees: Sarah Bowman 🍎

After 31 years in education, including 26 years with Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, Five Hawks 4th grade teacher Sarah Bowman is retiring, leaving behind a lasting impact on her school community.

Throughout her career, Sarah has been a steady, caring presence for her students and a valued colleague to those around her. Her dedication to teaching and connection with others has made a difference in countless lives at Five Hawks.
In retirement, Sarah is looking forward to an exciting new chapter... working at Rise Modern Wellness, nannying for Alex Kolodziej’s baby girl, cheering on her kids as they play college sports, and spending more time up north.

When asked what she’ll miss most, Sarah simply stated, "my people at Five Hawks!" 💙

Thank you, Sarah, for your years of dedication and the relationships you’ve built along the way.

05/22/2026

Congratulations Trudy!!!

Celebrating Our Retirees: Trudy Adderley 🍎

After 42 years in education, including 19 years with Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, Edgewood Early Childhood Special Education Teacher and Evaluation Lead Trudy Adderley is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, compassion, and dedication.

Throughout her career, Trudy has supported young children and families with care and expertise, helping to shape meaningful early learning experiences. Her work in special education has had a lasting impact, including the incredible opportunity to help launch one of Minnesota’s first specialized programs for 3–5 year old children on the Autism Spectrum. She reflects on that experience as especially meaningful, noting how much she learned from the children and families she served while building the program from the ground up.

In retirement, Trudy is looking forward to traveling, golfing, reading, and taking time to relax and enjoy the next chapter.

When asked what she will miss most, Trudy shared it is the people... the children, families, and colleagues who have crossed her path and shaped her journey over the years.

Thank you, Trudy, for your leadership, your heart, and your lasting impact on early childhood special education. 💙

05/22/2026

Congratulations Terrie!!!

Celebrating Our Retirees: Terrie Schoenbauer 🎉

After 41 years in education, including 16 with Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, Benefits Specialist Terrie Schoenbauer is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service at the District Services Center.

Throughout her career, Terrie has played an important role supporting staff across the district, helping ensure they had what they needed to succeed. Known for her reliability and care, she has been a valued member of her team and a friendly, familiar presence to many.

In retirement, Terrie is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, tackling home projects, reading, exercising, volunteering, and finally doing all the things we often say we’d do “if we had more time.”

When asked what she’ll miss most, Terrie shared it’s the people, especially her work team and all those who made coming to work a pleasure each day. Reflecting on her journey, she notes that saying yes to a career in public education turned out to be a true privilege.

Thank you, Terrie, for your years of commitment and the positive impact you’ve made behind the scenes for our entire district.

05/22/2026

The best of the best! We will miss your leadership and expertise. Good luck on your next endeavor!

At the May 18 School Board Meeting, we celebrated a very special Laker Pride recognition honoring this year’s Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools retirees. 💙💛

Several retirees attended the meeting and were recognized by Dr. Thomas for their years of dedication, service, and impact on our students, staff, families, and community. Each retiree received a commemorative medallion and certificate of appreciation in recognition of the incredible legacy they leave behind.

Together, this year’s retirees represent hundreds of years of service to education and to PLSAS. Their commitment, compassion, and contributions have shaped countless lives and helped make our schools stronger communities for generations of students.

Celebrating the years you’ve shared, the lives you’ve touched, and the legacy you leave behind — cheers to many wonderful years ahead! 🎉

Thank you and congratulations to our 2026 retirees:
Trudy Adderley, Sarah Bowman, Andrea Carin, Pam Doerr, Rebekah Fonder, Joan Freidlund, Pam Giefer, Brenda Goetsch, Sheryl Haugen, Renee Kaiser-Muelken, Kari Keimig, Kim Koepp, Lisa Kraft, Michael Mahoney, Debra Maxfield, Heidi Murray, Carleen Needham, Debra Parizek, Steve Raby, Karen Russell, Terrie Schoenbauer, Katy Schuerman, Jill Selchow, Sherry Sorenson, Lisa Theis, Diane Torrey, Martha Walz, Joni Wendt, and Alison Zak.

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

Congratulations Katy!!!

Celebrating Our Retirees: Katy Schuerman 🍎

After 34 years in education, including 6 years as Principal of Five Hawks, Katy Schuerman is retiring, marking the end of a career dedicated to students, staff, and school communities.

During her time in Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, Katy has valued the opportunity to serve alongside the Five Hawks staff and families, calling it an honor and privilege to be part of such a strong and supportive community.
In retirement, she is looking forward to traveling, spending more time with family, and embracing what she calls “Chapter 2” — with excitement and curiosity for what comes next.

When asked what she’ll miss most, Katy shared it is the people and the daily joy of working in a school community she truly loves.

Her reflection on 34 years in education centers on one constant: the joy of children excited to learn and be at school. She shares a strong belief in the power of public education and the importance of continued investment in students’ futures, noting, “Our kids are incredible... and they absolutely deserve our continued investment in their future.”

Thank you, Katy, for your leadership, your dedication, and the lasting impact you’ve made on Five Hawks and beyond. 💙

05/16/2026

Congratulations Pam!!!

Celebrating Our Retirees: Pamela Doerr 🍎

After 40 years in education — including 29 years with Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools — Redtail Ridge 5th grade teacher Pamela Doerr is retiring, closing out a remarkable career dedicated to students and learning.

Throughout her time in the classroom, Pam has helped generations of students grow in confidence, curiosity, and courage. Her commitment to building meaningful relationships and challenging students to explore the world around them has been at the heart of her teaching.

In retirement, she is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, volunteering at church, enjoying time up at the lake—especially during fall hunting season—traveling more, and savoring slow mornings with her husband over coffee.
When asked what she’ll miss most, Pam shared it’s the students, parents, and the entire staff who have made her years in PLSAS so meaningful.

Her final words of advice reflect her passion for education: “As schools ebb and flow with constant change, remember that each year you have 9 months to connect to your students, show them you really care and challenge them to wonder, grow, explore and take courage and joy with them out into the world.”

Thank you, Pamela, for your dedication, your heart for students, and the lasting impact you’ve made across four decades in education. 💙

05/16/2026

Mr. Anderson is one of the most passionate teachers around.

LET'S GO WOLVES!

Read more about Prior Lake Savage Education Association member Al Andersen and his Timberwolves tradition: https://edmn.me/4nEfQzW