Unionville-Chadds Ford School District celebrates fourteen retiring educators

As Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) students and staff start their summer, fourteen dedicated educators will step into a new adventure: retirement. 

Together, Chadds Ford Elementary School’s Emilie Conover and Charlotte Denenno, Hillendale Elementary School’s Joan Amstutz, Pocopson Elementary School’s Sharon Towber, Charles F. Patton Middle School’s Kevin Crossman, Shannon Freehart, Janelle Hadly, Brian Kelley, and John Walsh, and Unionville High School’s Patrisha Burt, Kathy DiFilippo, Pat Martin, Cheryl Press, and Patty Toole represent lifetimes of commitment to the District’s children.

Chadds Ford Elementary School (CFES)

• Emilie Conover is a 2nd Grade Teacher and Faculty Mentor at CFES. She has served the District for 25 years. 
• Charlotte Denenno is a 3rd Grade Teacher, the 3rd Grade Chair, and a member of the Sunshine Committee at CFES. She has served the District for 20.5 years.  

Hillendale Elementary School (HES)

• Joan Amstutz is the Office Manager at HES. She has served the District for 9 years. 

Pocopson Elementary School (PES) 

• Sharon Towber is the Head Custodian at PES. She has served the District for 36 years. 

Charles F. Patton Middle School (CFPMS)

• Kevin Crossman is a Social Studies Teacher at CFPMS. He has served the District for 29 years. 
• Shannon Freehart is a Social Studies Teacher, the Social Studies Chair, and a Faculty Mentor at CFPMS. She has served the District for 29 years.  
• Janelle Hadly is the Health & Physical Education Teacher at CFPMS. She has served the District for 34 years. 
• Brian Kelley is a Gifted Teacher and Faculty Mentor at CFPMS. He has served the District for 31 years. 
• John Walsh is a Computers & Computer Applications Teacher, the Communications Coordinator, Hawk TV Coordinator, a Faculty Mentor, and Volunteer Softball Coach at CFPMS. He has served the District for 29 years. 

Unionville High School (UHS)

• Patrisha Burt is a Chemistry Teacher at UHS. She has served the District for 33 years.
• Kathy DiFilippo is the Testing Center Paraprofessional at UHS. She has served the District for 33 years. 
• Pat Martin is a Paraprofessional at UHS. She has served the District for 37 years. 
• Cheryl Press is a Security Monitor at UHS. She has served the District for 20 years. 
• Patty Toole is a Food Service Assistant at UHS. She has served the District for 9 years. 

“This year’s retirees perfectly embody our shared philosophy of the Portrait of a Graduate. Whether in the classroom or across their communities, their influence has spanned every level and inspired countless lives,” said UCFSD Superintendent Tim Hoffman. “When they could have chosen to be anything and to go anywhere, I am so grateful that they chose to make a difference in our district.”  

About UCFSD’s Portrait of An Educator

The Portrait of an Educator serves as a north star for all Unionville-Chadds Ford School District educators. The series of guiding principles includes cultivating meaningful relationships, promoting achievement and wellness, contributing to a positive culture, inspiring a passion for learning, having high expectations that encourage growth, building a culture of belonging and being a person of high character. For more information, visit ucfsd.org/about/portrait-of-an-educator.