Leesburg Librarian Plans Retirement After 36 Years
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
After 36 years, librarian Sandra Allen, 72, is retiring on June 8. An open house for her will be held at the school June 5 from 4 to 6 p.m.
"We'd love to have everyone come in," she said during an interview Wednesday morning.[[In-content Ad]]Long before Allen started her career as the only librarian Leesburg School has had, she started school there at age 6. She graduated from Leesburg in 1953.
In November 1953, she married her husband, Bob. She worked as a secretary at Warsaw High School for two years while Bob finished a four-year tour of duty in the Navy. In 1955, 1957, 1962 and 1964, Sandra gave birth to her four children. When her youngest was in first grade, Sandra started working as the librarian at Leesburg.
Bob's and Sandra's children are Kay Pylant, Olathe, Kan.; Kip, Pierceton; Ken, Leesburg; and Kraig, Warsaw. They have eight grandchildren, three who are graduating this year.
During her 36 years at Leesburg, Sandra started many new programs, including the Accelerated Reader program in 1995.
"I'm very proud of that fact," she said. Leesburg was the first school in Warsaw School Corp. to have it. "It's been a really good program. Now all the elementary schools have it."
She is so proud of the Accelerated Reader program that she asked for the top three students in the program at Leesburg this year to be in the photo with her. She called sixth-grader Zeb McCollom, the highest-scoring student, and fifth-graders Abby Schue and Anissa Cervantes down to the library for the newspaper photo.
"They're three really neat kids," she said.
In the Accelerated Reader program, Sandra said students read books and take tests on the computer. The test shows the students' comprehension skills. Teachers use the information in various ways, she said.
But ask Sandra why she's remained as Leesburg's librarian for almost four decades, there's one word that sums it up for her.
"Kids," she said. "I love them. I've learned so much from them - their needs, I learned patience. I just learned to love all kinds of kids from this, it's been wonderful."
Thinking of them, Sandra had to pause and dry her eyes. She said she often cries thinking about the students and retiring.
Over the years, she said she's also had a good interaction with parents and teachers. Sandra also knows people from all over the county because she has been a singer for years doing solo work. She also started the choir at Leesburg.
"I've had a wonderful life," she said. "I'm just proud of the kids. I've tried to be fair with the kids. I think that's the number one goal. I've been tough on them."
But past students have come back, she said, and told her they appreciate the values she taught to them.
"I'd like to think that kids strive to do their very best. I don't tolerate laziness very well. I push them, but they need that. Some kids don't get that at home. I'd like to see parents do more parenting. I think that's lacking right now," Sandra said.
She said she understands times are hard and it's a different time. Kids are different today.
"I've seen a huge change in the behaviors of children, and that's not all bad," she said.
Schools today have their hands full, she said. Teachers have to be parents, disciplinarians and teachers. If a person could walk in a teacher's shoes for a day, she said they'd know how hard a teacher has to work.
Working with the Leesburg staff over the years has "been really good," she said. "For the most part, the teachers are the greatest. (Principal Marv) Marino is fabulous. I've had six different principals. For the most part, Leesburg has been very fortunate with its leadership. The kids adore the principal and they love the one we have. He's so good with them."
Marino has said some good things about Sandra, too. He wrote, "She is the 'heart and soul' of Leesburg. She is a walking encyclopedia of the history of Leesburg. She is not only a cornerstone in our school, but also in our community. She has been a great personal source of information, strength and encouragement for me, as a relatively new principal.
"Staff, students and community members will miss her presence at Leesburg very much. She is a joy to work with. She is loved and respected by so many. She is a lady of courage and conviction."
"It's my home away from home," Sandra said of Leesburg Elementary.
Of course, after her retirement, she said she will probably end up volunteering at the school. Bob - who Sandra said is a "fantastic man" - has been retired for six years, but Sandra said they don't plan to go away. They're sticking around for the grandkids.
"I'm an only child," she said. "Having four children and this world was so new and exciting to me. Kids are terrific. You have to take the time to get to know them."
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After 36 years, librarian Sandra Allen, 72, is retiring on June 8. An open house for her will be held at the school June 5 from 4 to 6 p.m.
"We'd love to have everyone come in," she said during an interview Wednesday morning.[[In-content Ad]]Long before Allen started her career as the only librarian Leesburg School has had, she started school there at age 6. She graduated from Leesburg in 1953.
In November 1953, she married her husband, Bob. She worked as a secretary at Warsaw High School for two years while Bob finished a four-year tour of duty in the Navy. In 1955, 1957, 1962 and 1964, Sandra gave birth to her four children. When her youngest was in first grade, Sandra started working as the librarian at Leesburg.
Bob's and Sandra's children are Kay Pylant, Olathe, Kan.; Kip, Pierceton; Ken, Leesburg; and Kraig, Warsaw. They have eight grandchildren, three who are graduating this year.
During her 36 years at Leesburg, Sandra started many new programs, including the Accelerated Reader program in 1995.
"I'm very proud of that fact," she said. Leesburg was the first school in Warsaw School Corp. to have it. "It's been a really good program. Now all the elementary schools have it."
She is so proud of the Accelerated Reader program that she asked for the top three students in the program at Leesburg this year to be in the photo with her. She called sixth-grader Zeb McCollom, the highest-scoring student, and fifth-graders Abby Schue and Anissa Cervantes down to the library for the newspaper photo.
"They're three really neat kids," she said.
In the Accelerated Reader program, Sandra said students read books and take tests on the computer. The test shows the students' comprehension skills. Teachers use the information in various ways, she said.
But ask Sandra why she's remained as Leesburg's librarian for almost four decades, there's one word that sums it up for her.
"Kids," she said. "I love them. I've learned so much from them - their needs, I learned patience. I just learned to love all kinds of kids from this, it's been wonderful."
Thinking of them, Sandra had to pause and dry her eyes. She said she often cries thinking about the students and retiring.
Over the years, she said she's also had a good interaction with parents and teachers. Sandra also knows people from all over the county because she has been a singer for years doing solo work. She also started the choir at Leesburg.
"I've had a wonderful life," she said. "I'm just proud of the kids. I've tried to be fair with the kids. I think that's the number one goal. I've been tough on them."
But past students have come back, she said, and told her they appreciate the values she taught to them.
"I'd like to think that kids strive to do their very best. I don't tolerate laziness very well. I push them, but they need that. Some kids don't get that at home. I'd like to see parents do more parenting. I think that's lacking right now," Sandra said.
She said she understands times are hard and it's a different time. Kids are different today.
"I've seen a huge change in the behaviors of children, and that's not all bad," she said.
Schools today have their hands full, she said. Teachers have to be parents, disciplinarians and teachers. If a person could walk in a teacher's shoes for a day, she said they'd know how hard a teacher has to work.
Working with the Leesburg staff over the years has "been really good," she said. "For the most part, the teachers are the greatest. (Principal Marv) Marino is fabulous. I've had six different principals. For the most part, Leesburg has been very fortunate with its leadership. The kids adore the principal and they love the one we have. He's so good with them."
Marino has said some good things about Sandra, too. He wrote, "She is the 'heart and soul' of Leesburg. She is a walking encyclopedia of the history of Leesburg. She is not only a cornerstone in our school, but also in our community. She has been a great personal source of information, strength and encouragement for me, as a relatively new principal.
"Staff, students and community members will miss her presence at Leesburg very much. She is a joy to work with. She is loved and respected by so many. She is a lady of courage and conviction."
"It's my home away from home," Sandra said of Leesburg Elementary.
Of course, after her retirement, she said she will probably end up volunteering at the school. Bob - who Sandra said is a "fantastic man" - has been retired for six years, but Sandra said they don't plan to go away. They're sticking around for the grandkids.
"I'm an only child," she said. "Having four children and this world was so new and exciting to me. Kids are terrific. You have to take the time to get to know them."
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