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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (May 24, 2017)
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 11 Long-time Sisters educator retiring By Erin Borla Correspondent After 31 years teaching in the Sisters School District, Norma Pledger is retiring. Pledger, born in Prineville, was hired in 1986 by long- time Sisters Elementary School Principal Earl Armbruster after teaching for two years in Culver. Through her career Pledger has taught 6th, 5th, 2nd, grade 4/5 blends and most recently 5th grade. Pledger has many posi- tive memories of her time in Sisters. “Working with people like Diane Jacobsen and Lori Small — we were a great team,” she said. “It was very memorable to be able to work with such outstanding teach- ers; I learned a lot from them. “One of my best memories was at the elementary school when we had A-wing assem- blies,” she continued. “Every classroom had a month and we had to put on a play of something the students had been studying. We had such a home and community feel in every classroom and so much ownership. I loved that.” Pledger remembers shar- ing family-style meals with the classroom. “It was such a blessing to get to know the kids — eat- ing lunch and teaching them manners. We had activities like treasure hunts to teach students directional skills that led up to a barbecue in the park; we gave out the Golden Garbagecan; and sing-a- longs. The music programs that Elizabeth Renner put on: Those are memories that will stay with me.” When the Sisters School District made the decision to move the fifth grade to Sisters Middle School, Pledger was tapped to be the lead teacher for that grade. She was in charge of ordering furniture and equipment and every- thing the District would need for this transition. “People were nervous,” she said. “Adding fifth grade to the middle school — that was different.” Many of her students have stayed in contact through Christmas cards, wedding and birth announcements and phone calls for advice. “It’s neat to see how kids give back; many past students are now doctors and lawyers and generally incredible human beings. It’s amazing when you knew them at 8 or 10 years old,” Pledger said. Pledger has now taught around 10 second-generation students. “To have my previous stu- dents say to me ‘I want you to be my child’s teacher because you taught me and made an impact on my life’ — I’m very proud,” she said. One of her daughters, Stephanie (Pledger) Burke, has followed in her moth- er’s footsteps and is teach- ing kindergarten at Sisters Elementary School. “It is really special that I was raised in this amazing community and now get to teach where my mom raised me,” said Burke. “I feel that she is instrumental to the Sisters School District. It is a huge compliment when I am told that I am following in her footsteps. She will be very missed!” “It really has come full circle, Stephanie is now giv- ing back to the community. Her children will be raised PHOTO BY ERIN BORLA Norma Pledger is retiring after a three-decade career. here,” Pledger said. In her retirement Pledger looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren and golfing. Don’t expect her to stay away too long from education in Sisters. “I am excited to go back and substitute, help out at the elementary school and offer support with teacher train- ing,” she said. “I want to thank the staff at Sisters elementary, middle and high schools — they mean a lot to me. Thank you to the community for their support over the last 30 years.” Northwest Dining At Its Finest Open Thurs.-Sun., 5 p.m. to Close Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben General, Cosmetic, Implant and Family Dentistry ~ Over 22 years Serving Sisters ~ We are preferred providers for Delta Dental PPO and Premier, MODA, Advantage, Pacifi c Source, Cigna and the V.A. 541-549-0109 | 304 W. Adams Ave. | Call 541-595-6420 for Reservations C www.kokaneecafe.com Sisters T hanks to everyone who helped make Women Build 2017 a huge success! S Sponsors: Lowe’s L Ninkasi Brewery N Women Build W Committee: C Darleene Snider D Dennis Mills D Ellie E Hammond Jeannie Sandecki J Larry Lennon L Lynn Jones Terry Buchholz Toni Landis Building Homes, Building Lives, Building Community. P.O. Box 238, Sisters, OR 97759 541-549-1193 | www.sistershabitat.org Food and Beverage Donations: Carolyn Gabrielson Dawn and Dave Holmes Eloise Barry Jack McDonald Jeannie Sandecki Marsha Lewis Melvin’s Fir Street Market Nan Daschel Ninkasi Brewery Selah Broderick Sisters Bakery Participants: Amanda Jamison Angel Haney Annie Marland Becky Conner Berni Huggett Carolyn Platt Darcy Johannsen Dawn Holmes Elizabeth Goward Emily Boraas Heart of Oregon YouthBuild Students Heather Belmont Holly Foott Holly McIntosh Jasmine McCool Jeanie Ogden Jeannie Gingenberg Jessica Heuberger Joyce Brown Karen Waddell Lauren Beyerinck Lily Boraas Linda Huber Lynn Hughes Mandee Seeley Mona Glode Pat Woollard Paula Boraas Sandy Prock Selah Broderick Sharlene Weed Sharyn Benson Signe Johnson Tana Sproat Tracy Craig Tracy Foteff Wendie Vermillion Lowe’s Local Heroes: Angie Parks Holly Nebel Jana Lynn Kathleen Wilson Mary Beth Hahn Mimi Maxon Sage Keller Shannon Johnson Xana Johnston Other Helpers and Supporters: Andy Walker Heart of Oregon Corps - YouthBuild Jerry Baldock-Outlaws Photography Jerry Hanford Sisters Habitat ReStore Sisters Habitat Thrift Store Sisters Public Library The Nugget Newspaper The Th Regular R l Building Crew that Make Things Happen: Bob Cole Bob Harris Dave Clark David Holmes Dennis Mills Ellie Hammond John DiChiara John Milne Larry Lennon Lynn Jones Richard MacConnell