The chatter of students and staff in the assistant principal’s office fills the room, along with Sherry Bodner’s typing at her front desk computer. Soon, this fixture will no longer be there, greeting visitors to Highlands High School.
Bodner, the secretary in the assistant principal’s office, will retire on December 20.
Bodner started working at Highlands four years ago, but she has been in the school system for 20 years. She started during the midst of COVID-19. During this time, Bodner sold her old house, bought a new one, got interviewed, and started her job here all in 10 days.
“It was truly crazy how I managed to do that in just 10 days. I love talking about that!”
Bodner has many stories to share with her coworkers and the students at Highlands, and she made an impact during her time here.
“She is just so fun and so enjoyable to be around. I mean, you all as students have seen it where we all just sit there and talk to her. We all love listening to her stories and her upbringing,” Principal John Darnell said.
Not only did the faculty love spending time with her but so did her aides.
“It’s a lot of fun to be with her, she has an upbeat attitude and takes a lot of interest in what we’re doing like sports and our lives,” Tommy Ferring (12), a fifth-period aide, said.
Spending an hour with Bodner daily allowed her to spread words of wisdom to her students.
“She’s told us a lot about life and what we can do after high school, and how to use all the stuff we learned,” Torin Bryant (12), another fifth-period aide, said.
Bodner has so much to be proud of in her life, especially her family.
“I’m most proud of my kids. I have two grown kids and I didn’t screw them up too badly. Also really being able to persevere through loss, and how I was able to keep going.”
Bodner, unfortunately, lost her husband to esophageal cancer and she is very proud of her ability to persevere.
Retirement frees up a lot of time, and Bodner plans on spending her time with volunteer work, traveling, and spending time with her new grandchildren.
“I have two grand babies and I plan to spend my time being a grandparent. But a lot of traveling and some volunteer work at the cancer center because I lost my husband to esophageal cancer.”
The students were not the only people learning new things at Highlands, Bodner herself has learned from students.
“The students have taught me more than really anyone else, I’ve learned to be very patient and adaptable with the students. You all have taught me a lot. I guess I’ve learned to love school again.”
Bodner explained that she was “excited, and nervous, to retire,” and having these mixed emotions can be overwhelming.
“I’m the most nervous about leaving the students, I’m going to miss spending every day with my aids, my coworkers, and my students.”
When Bodner was asked what piece of advice she wants to leave the students when she retires, she said, “Just be your authentic self and celebrate that. Take what we taught you here at Highlands and just be yourself.”
