It was only natural for Beverly Strayer to teach in Red Lion Area School District for more than three decades.

"I attended Red Lion. My sons attended Red Lion," said the lifelong Lion, who is 63. "I bleed black and gold."

Strayer taught nearly every elementary grade during her tenure, primarily fifth grade, and ended her teaching career at Pleasant View Elementary School.

During that time, Strayer said, she saw dramatic changes in education, especially with the advance of state standardized testing, while also getting constant support from the Red Lion community.

"The families in Red Lion are absolutely incredible," she said.

The York Township resident has no plans yet for retirement, other than to enjoy it. And yet, she said, she'll greatly miss the classroom, where she told students to support each other.

"I tried to create a community. We stick up for each other," she said of her philosophy. "I don't think in my 31.5 years, anyone has heard me yell. It just isn't my style."

Strayer said she knows some of the families who have passed through her classrooms at multiple levels. Strayer laughed at how she taught a student years ago, Andy Macklin, and then two years ago taught his daughter, Allison.

"I didn't stick around for the

granddaughter," she joked.

Hanover Public High School teacher Mike Bauer enjoyed watching seniors in his social studies classes mature throughout their final year of high school.

"They come in as seniors and leave as young adults," Bauer, 59, said. Bauer, after 21 years at Hanover, decided this would his final year of high school, too. Bauer started teaching in 1974 in Muhlenberg and, after a break to sell insurance, came to Hanover in 1991.

Bauer is a familiar face and voice to any Hanover school district sports fan, as he became known for keeping score and announcing basketball games, coaching football and baseball, and other athletic activities.

"I'm going to miss the athletic end of it. I think every teacher in every school district should coach somewhere so they can gain a different perspective," Bauer said.

He also introduced the Stock Market Game to Hanover seniors so they could practice their investing skills. The game of investment strategies became so popular, other teachers "wished somebody had taught them that when they were in high school," Bauer said.

"He's not just a great teacher, but a great employee," said Superintendent Al Moyer.

Bauer said he emphasized giving seniors skills to succeed after graduation, and pushing them to continue their education.

"Or they are going to be flipping burgers," he said.

If anyone needs to find him this fall, though, he won't be hard to find. He still plans on announcing football games.

"They'll find me ... or they'll hear me," Bauer said.

The following is a list of school district employees who announced their retirement in the past year. Only school districts that replied are included. Some lists only include professional staff.

Central: Georgia Amspacher, support staff, 30 years; Joan Ashbrook, support staff, 28 years; Peggy Beal, Librarian at Sinking Springs Elementary, 28 years; Linda Brandt, Stony Brook Elementary teacher, 20.5 years; Carol Brenneman, support staff, 4.5 years; Rob Davenport, high school social studies teacher, 9.5 years; Betty Eaton, support staff, 20 years; Norma Jacoby, support staff, 32.5 years; Larry Jones, support staff, 8.5 years; Vicki Kuhn, support staff, 27 years; Martie Landis, support staff, 21 years; Alicia Sanders, North Hills Elementary Learning Support teacher, 33 years; Mark Smith, maintenance, 21.5 years; Mary Stough, Middle School nurse, 28 years

Dallastown: Ronald Kauffman, food service delivery driver, 32.35; Nancy Pinkerton, part-time classroom paraprofessional, 22.3; Juanita Briddell, secretary, 25.82; Jolene Dellone, secretary, 20.99; Melissa Ehrhart, English teacher, 35.65; Mary Lou Garner, cafeteria employee, 13.52; Patricia Krantz, FACS teacher, 30.19; Jeannie Linnemans, cafeteria manager, 18.85; Jill McCracken, special education teacher, 27.88; Christine Miller, guidance counselor, 35.20; Susan Ness, special education teacher, 32.11; Joanne Waltmire, cafeteria employee, 11.79; William Zimmerman, technology education teacher, 37; Lynn Cheeseman, elementary education teacher, 26.92; Linda Eichelberger, learning support paraprofessional, 30.27; Linda Kashner, custodian, 7.95; Marlene Marchant, secretary, 40.58; Vincent Reever, head custodian, 21.25; Jeri Myers, health and physical education teacher, 33; Susan Angelilli, part-time 10-month secretary, 23.18; Wendy Arnold, guidance counselor, 24.13; Patricia Hartman, learning support paraprofessional, 19.61; Brenda Keller, secretary, 23.61; Douglas Noble, special education teacher, 26.81; Annette Pietrolaj, part-time learning support paraprofessional, 11; Douglas Whitehill, science teacher, 33; Michele Deitz, cafeteria manager, 25.32; Susan Mason, classroom paraprofessional, 19.21; Richard Rabuck, computer science teacher, 35.25; Lind Frey, head custodian, 31.11; Jennifer Strickler, learning support paraprofessional, 25.67.

Dover: Barbara Grady, professional, 32 years; Ann Partlow, professional, 25 years; Georgann Sprague, professional, 38 years; Martha Schott, professional, 32 years; Sue Cain, professional, 27 years; Randy Kanaskie, professional, 37 years; Brian Moul, professional, 28 years; Sandra Bowser, professional, 16 years; Virginia Stiffler, support, 24 years; Shirley Harbold, support, 38 years; Sandra Brock, support, 3 years; Roy Brock, support, 3 years; Carolyn Zeigler, support, 16 years; Patricia Mummert, support, 24 years; Darthy Kline, support, 18.5 years; Gail O'Donnel, support, 18 years; Susan Paup, support, 23.5 years

Eastern: Elaine DeRolf, payroll specialist, 38 years; Phyllis Shoff, Wrightsville cafeteria manager, 36 years; Sandra Keller, high school cafeteria manager, 35 years; Suzanne Landis, Canadochly school counselor, 34 years (21 w/Eastern); Terry Garland, high school learning support teacher, 33 years; Barbara Tully, Wrightsville Elementary second-grade teacher, 33 years; Michael Donato, high school math teacher, 33 years (18 w/Eastern); Lois Nicholas, elementary gifted teacher, 32 years; Ronald Small, high school custodian, 30 years; Brenda Mundis, Kreutz Creek cafeteria manager, 28 years; Vicki Webb, Canadochly cafeteria cook, 25 years; Kathy Heiser, technology director, 24 years; Robert Heiser, girls' basketball coach, 19 years; Linda Kurzik, Kreutz Creek teacher assistant, 12 years

Hanover Public: Teacher Mike Bauer, 29.5 years

Northeastern: Craig Werner, courier/custodian, 25 years; Lona Oyler, cafeteria manager at Conewago Elementary School, 33 years; Sandy Klinger, cafeteria manager at Mount Wolf Elementary School, 30 years; Michael Bergeron, physical education teacher, 33 years

Red Lion: Diana Arnold, 25 years; Meredith Carey, 24.5 years; Nancy Danneberger, 13 years; Cheryl Durham, 27 years; Kurt Fassnacht, 15.5 years; Joseph Frick, 35 years; Jean Fuess, 24.5 years; Sandra Heimberger, 37 years; Winifred Kowalik, 17 years; Patricia Kunselman, 6 years; Scott Musselman, 34 years; Joan Nolin, 35 years; Robert Schuck Jr., 5 years; Debra Sheaffer, 23 years; Linda Smith, 30.75 years; Kim Sterner, 34 years; Beverly Strayer, 31.5 years; Cordie Thompson, 27 years; Elaine Yates, 21 years

South Eastern: Teachers Diane Poff and Michael Rudacille, 37 years

South Western: Danette Eline, kindergarten, 22.5 years; Barbara Schumacher, librarian, 31.05 years; M. Carolyn Taylor, elementary music teacher, 6.74 years; Theresa Hoggard, learning support, 15.8 years; Dwight Dubs, art teacher, 35.1 years; Patricia Fuhrman, sixth grade, 35.55 years; Janis Daron, family and cnsumer science, 30 years; Janet Rego, family and consumer science, 30.65 years; Wayne Kern, guidance counselor, 34.5 years; Ruth Meckley, athletic secretary, 26 years; Barbara Kehr, assistant superintendent, 34 years; Madeline Rebert, food service, 11 years; Barbara Williams, food service, 25.5 years; Sandra Crawford, library assistant, 13 years; Susan Woodward, high school receptionist, 16 years; Linda Rebert, food service, 26 years; Cheryl Kavanaugh, support services secretary, 23.5 years

Southern: Denise Ferree, learning support, 34.6 years; Kathleen Emdad, reading specialist, 22 years; Phyllis Hildebrand, elementary, 40 years; Lorraine Kulbicki, elementary, 25 years; Linda Lewis, band, 12.8 years; Wayne Margelot, phys. ed/health/driver's ed, 33 years; Patti McGonagle, phys. ed/health, 27.5 years; Marlene Quesenberry, family and consumer science, 15 years; Steve Sough, middle school science 35 years; Eleanor Walker, elementary 16.3 years

Spring Grove: Teachers: Margaret Jennings, Diane Markle, Karen Baum, Kevin Baum, Deborah Fenton, Gregg Trone; Special Education Supervisor Sharon O'Connell; Support Staff: James Hamilton, Mary Brungard, Judy Frock

West Shore: Joan C. Anderson, director of business affairs; Martha E. Bert, English; Marvin D. Cameron, grade 5; Randall L. Hamme, tech ed; Rodney L. Hultquist, art; David D. Kepner, computer; Cathie A. Kunkle, grade 6; John J. Lorigan, librarian; Alison L. Lusk, art; Cynthia C. Mueller, computer; Michael J. Routsong, science; Jacquelyn A. Scott, family consumer science; Karon M. Steerzer, family consumer science; Karen L. Sykes, grade 1; Janeanne L. Wantz, music; Deborah J. Weinstein, KAP; Nancy L. Wilson, grade 6; Deborah A. Worthen, grade 5; Keith B. Yorks, tech ed; Judy A. Allen, health care assistant.; Susan J. Baker, food service II; Melvin R. Barton, food service truck driver; Linda L. Bennick, driver; Joel C. Culley, warehouse manager; Patricia A. Dravk, driver; Kathleen L. Fox, secretary to the coordinator of transportation; Patricia A. Gabig, driver; Richard A. Gussler, MMIV; Kenneth Kitner, custodian III; Joyee K. Materazzi, transportation secretary; Barbara A. Mickle, food service; Larry D. Reinhardt, Sr., driver; Susan L. Stoner, special education paraprofessional; John T. Titzel, driver; John F. Wydra, custodian III; Angela K. Zengerle, special education paraprofessional

West York: Joan Wolfe, counseling center secretary, 40 years; Mary Lou Stricker, elementary librarian, 23 years; Vickie Anspach, language arts, 31.5 years; Lisa Leckrone, math, 31 years; Karen Brenner, teacher aide, 30 years

York City: Teachers Carol Hall, Shirley Rudacille, Deborah Ritter-Grant, Marsha Haldeman, Karen Lohss, Serena Gillespie, Teresa Wilson, Brian Fay

York Suburban: Lonna Ashton, kindergarten teacher; Rosemary Badders, assistant head cook; Lynnea Bobb, emotional support teacher; Beryl Boyer, assistant head cook; Laurel Cornell, first-grade teacher; Geraldine Corsa, head cook; Lisa Hess, guidance counselor; Joan Klinke, coordinator of food services; Beth Landau, English teacher; Alice Lomax, teaching assistant; Pamela McIntosh, reading specialist; Doris Moyer, assistant head cook; Pam Rehm, secretary to director of student services; Patricia Rinkevich, fifth-grade teacher; Brenda Schmohl, head cook; Patricia Vaughn, head cook; Debra Weidman, language arts teacher; David Wint, computer teacher.

York County School of Technology: Barbara Garzon, Adult and Continuing Education Nursing Program Supervisor, 40 years; Jane Kolh, Early Childhood Education Instructor, 34 years; Phil Smith, Masonry Instructor, 32 years

-- Reach Andrew Shaw at ashaw@yorkdispatch.com