Rivermont Collegiate in Bettendorf is losing three if it’s faculty members and over 100 years of experience.
It’s almost the end of the year for first grade teacher Kathy Topalian, “First grade is when you see so much growth and so much development."
Her teaching career is coming to an end too after 32 years at Rivermont, "I think I’m going to miss the closeness of our school and the family atmosphere."
"I feel bad for all the people who would have been future students, because they won’t be able to have such a good experience,” says second student Aidan Sears, who had Mrs.Topalian last year.
Science teacher Linda Hampton has 29 years under her belt.
"I'm going to miss this place a lot, the students, the fact that they are here and want to learn, they're the one that keeps me young and keeps me going,” says Hampton.
Sue Johnson has been the director for the lower schools for 40 years and has enjoyed every minute of it, “It's a labor of love, it's been filled with happiness, and working in a school is a very happy place."
In all, the three retiring women have left an everlasting impact on students for more than 100 years combined.
"I hope they enjoy life from now on. I definitely hope they visit, because we're going to miss them,” says eighth grader, Manasa Pagadala.
All of them have no big plans after they retire, they plan on traveling and spending time with family.