Long time Dennis Township classroom aide Joan Capella is retiring on Friday, December 23rd. She is putting away her binders, pencils and erasers after fifteen years service in supporting students and teachers in the district.
Principal Jamie VanArtsdalen gave Joan the principal's parking spot for December as a small token of appreciation for her hard work and service. "Joan is someone who will always brighten your day," VanArtsdalen says. "She is the first to make you smile and greets colleagues and students with a cheerful hello. We will miss her!"
Capella has worked in numerous roles at Dennis Township, ranging from one-on-one aide for special needs students to classroom aides, at all grade levels. One teacher she worked with says she is a very caring person. "Joan has a big heart and cares about the kids," explains Anthony McCurdy, 8th grade special education teacher. "She loves working with students and she always looks for the positive in people."
Kathy Pittaluga, the district's social worker and co-president of the Dennis Township Education Association, will also miss her. "I could ask Joan to work with our most needy, fragile students and she could handle it because she is such a kind, giving person. She will be sorely missed," Pittaluga says.