Bellwood- Antis and the world were different places in 1990. Myers’s Elementary was 18 years away from a multi-million dollar renovation and the high school had just added a new building and gymnasium.
Home Alone was the top movie of the year and Nirvana was the hottest band. The Bulls were preparing for their first championship season, and John Hayes was walking the sidelines for the Blue Devils.
This was the world when this Myers Elementary teacher Mrs. Lori Dionis began her teaching career at Bellwood- Antis.
Mrs. Dionis is retiring this year. She has been teaching at Bellwood for 35 years and taught for 2 years before that.
“I’m getting old!” she joked.
As a child, Mrs. Dionis always loved school and learning. She said she had some amazing teachers herself and wanted to share her love of learning with others.
While Mrs. Dionis still loves her job, she feels that a younger, more energetic teacher may be better for the age of students she’s taught. If there’s one aspect of the job she doesn’t love it’s the amount of testing, especially standardized testing, and the over-emphasis on the scores associated with these tests.
“That’s not something I will miss,” she said.
Mrs. Dionis loves reading, and she said her favorite part of the school day is when she sits in her rocking chair and reads stories to her class. She picks a variety of stories and series and uses different voices when she reads to grab the students attention and interest.
Her passion for reading may is one of the strengths that have made Mrs. Dionis a superior teacher, and it’s one of the motivations for her plans in retirement. She wants to have the freedom to read, relax, and enjoy spending time with her friends and family after she retires.
Mrs. Dionis said she will miss the excitement of the first day of school and meeting a new class, among other things.
“I’ll miss Dr. Seuss week, talking about all the meaningful messages in his stories, and just the fun of the rhythm and rhyme,” she said. “I will also miss teaching science and doing hands-on experiments with them.”
But most of all, Mrs. Dionis said she is going to miss the conversations and connections with students and their families.
She admires all of her colleagues, especially her 2nd grade team, whom she said all love the kids and each other, which shows in everything they do.
“They make our school a safe and happy place for students to learn,” she said.
Myers principal Mr. Matthew Stinson said Mrs. Dionis leaves behind a “legacy of dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students and staffulty.”
“Throughout her tenure, she has touched the lives of countless students, inspiring them to reach their full potential and fostering a love for learning that will last a lifetime,” he said. “Her innovative teaching methods, patience, and kindness have created a nurturing environment where every child felt valued and supported. Her colleagues have also been profoundly influenced by her presence. Mrs. Dionis’s willingness to share knowledge, mentor new teachers, and collaborate with others strengthened our Myers Family. She has been a pillar of support and a source of inspiration for all of us.”
Second grade team member Mrs. Tara Naylor, who has taught alongside Mrs. Dionis since 2005, said her retirement brings mixed feelings.
“I’m sad to see her leave, but so excited for her to move into the next chapter of her life,” she said.
Mrs. R Miller, meanwhile, is very happy for Mrs. Dionis that she can now spend her time enjoying her dog, family, and friends. She’s already watched her two sons graduate from B-A, Zach in 2010 and Alex in 2013.
Mrs. Dionis said she doesn’t have any set plans for retiring, although she has some house projects she would like to complete. She is hoping to find a small job, or to volunteer somewhere, to keep her busy and give her a purpose.
Mr. Stinson extended his gratitude to Mrs. Dionis for her years of service.
“I will personally miss her warm smile, encouraging words, and unwavering dedication to education. We thank Mrs. Dionis for everything she has done for our school and wish her the best of luck in her well-deserved retirement!” he said.
