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The Bucks County Intermediate Unit is paying tribute to nearly two dozen retiring employees for their commitment to serving thousands of students at sites throughout the county. The 22 retirees worked for Bucks IU for a combined 432 years, according to Nora Cuff, the Bucks IU Supervisor of Recruitment and Retention. That’s almost four and a half centuries of combined service. Many of the retirees worked in Bucks IU classrooms to serve students with autism, emotional needs, and multiple disabilities. Others provided support services or worked in the agency’s central office. All are known and appreciated for their dedication, flexibility, and compassion. “This group has a unique mix of longevity and adaptability,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, the Bucks IU Executive Director. “They’ve provided exceptional service to others during times of great change in education. Their departure is a reminder of how deeply experience matters. There’s no substitute for the insight and leadership that come from years of showing up, solving problems, and putting others first. While we’ll miss their presence, their influence and the capacity they've built in others will remain.” Several of the retirees attended a recognition ceremony on June 17, 2025, during the Bucks IU Board of School Directors meeting in Doylestown. Each received a bouquet of flowers, and a Bucks IU bag filled with agency keepsakes. Bucks IU supervisors took turns honoring the retirees individually. Erin Carson, a Bucks IU Program Director of School Age Programs, spoke with great appreciation about retiring paraeducator Patricia Perry, whom she has known for more than two decades. “Her unwavering passion and dedication to supporting students has left a lasting impact on so many lives,” said Carson. “She is always full of energy and has brought laughter to the most stressful days. Patty always anticipated the needs of others and stepped in to help in every way imaginable.” Ronald Rolon, the Manager of Prevention and Federal Programs, is retiring after working at Bucks IU for 22 years. He also has experience as a Respiratory Therapist and Health Teacher. Rolon shared that he found his “niche” working at the Bucks IU. “I still love my job,” he said. “I want my professional legacy to be about how I care about young people and their success.” Nora Cuff, who coordinated the recognition ceremony, noted that the two longest-serving 2025 retirees are Sharon Schanbacker, who worked in the business office for 39 years, and teacher George Szymanski, who taught in various IU classrooms for 33 years. Szymanski said he has worked in education for 35 years, the last 33 of them at Bucks IU. Most recently, he taught inmates at the Bucks County Correctional Facility in Doylestown. He was driven to guide them toward earning their high school diplomas or GEDs. “I want to make them successful,” he said after the ceremony. Victoria Dempsey, a Bucks IU Teacher of the Visually Impaired, said her students’ success was also a driving force for her. She is retiring after 27 years of service with students at Bucks IU sites across the county. “I am going to miss the kids, the students, and seeing their smiling faces every day,” said Dempsey. She recommended a career with the Bucks IU to others, noting, “It is so fulfilling.” Board President John D’Angelo expressed gratitude for the retirees’ efforts to help make the Bucks IU a great place to work. “They go wherever they are needed or wherever their hearts take them,” D’Angelo said. “They loved working at the IU and have blazed a trail.” The retirees said they plan to travel, enjoy recreational activities, and spend time with their families and friends. “My hope is that retirement brings them the same satisfaction and sense of purpose they brought to work each day,” said Dr. Hoffman. “I hope they take pride in the difference they’ve made and find time to do what matters most to them.” ABOUT THE BUCKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT (Bucks IU): Celebrating over 50 years of service! The Bucks IU supports improvements and advancements in student learning by providing exceptional educational programs, innovative professional development, and advanced business/technology services. We serve people from ages birth through adults, students in public and private schools along with their staff and administrators, and the community of Bucks County. The Bucks IU is also the liaison between local schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information, go to www.BucksIU.org or call 215-348-2940.
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit is paying tribute to nearly two dozen retiring employees for their commitment to serving thousands of students at sites throughout the county. The 22 retirees worked for Bucks IU for a combined 432 years, according to Nora Cuff, the Bucks IU Supervisor of Recruitment and Retention. That’s almost four and a half centuries of combined service.
Many of the retirees worked in Bucks IU classrooms to serve students with autism, emotional needs, and multiple disabilities. Others provided support services or worked in the agency’s central office. All are known and appreciated for their dedication, flexibility, and compassion.
“This group has a unique mix of longevity and adaptability,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, the Bucks IU Executive Director. “They’ve provided exceptional service to others during times of great change in education. Their departure is a reminder of how deeply experience matters. There’s no substitute for the insight and leadership that come from years of showing up, solving problems, and putting others first. While we’ll miss their presence, their influence and the capacity they've built in others will remain.”
Several of the retirees attended a recognition ceremony on June 17, 2025, during the Bucks IU Board of School Directors meeting in Doylestown. Each received a bouquet of flowers, and a Bucks IU bag filled with agency keepsakes. Bucks IU supervisors took turns honoring the retirees individually. Erin Carson, a Bucks IU Program Director of School Age Programs, spoke with great appreciation about retiring paraeducator Patricia Perry, whom she has known for more than two decades. “Her unwavering passion and dedication to supporting students has left a lasting impact on so many lives,” said Carson. “She is always full of energy and has brought laughter to the most stressful days. Patty always anticipated the needs of others and stepped in to help in every way imaginable.”
Ronald Rolon, the Manager of Prevention and Federal Programs, is retiring after working at Bucks IU for 22 years. He also has experience as a Respiratory Therapist and Health Teacher. Rolon shared that he found his “niche” working at the Bucks IU. “I still love my job,” he said. “I want my professional legacy to be about how I care about young people and their success.”
Nora Cuff, who coordinated the recognition ceremony, noted that the two longest-serving 2025 retirees are Sharon Schanbacker, who worked in the business office for 39 years, and teacher George Szymanski, who taught in various IU classrooms for 33 years. Szymanski said he has worked in education for 35 years, the last 33 of them at Bucks IU. Most recently, he taught inmates at the Bucks County Correctional Facility in Doylestown. He was driven to guide them toward earning their high school diplomas or GEDs. “I want to make them successful,” he said after the ceremony.
Victoria Dempsey, a Bucks IU Teacher of the Visually Impaired, said her students’ success was also a driving force for her. She is retiring after 27 years of service with students at Bucks IU sites across the county. “I am going to miss the kids, the students, and seeing their smiling faces every day,” said Dempsey. She recommended a career with the Bucks IU to others, noting, “It is so fulfilling.”
Board President John D’Angelo expressed gratitude for the retirees’ efforts to help make the Bucks IU a great place to work. “They go wherever they are needed or wherever their hearts take them,” D’Angelo said. “They loved working at the IU and have blazed a trail.”
The retirees said they plan to travel, enjoy recreational activities, and spend time with their families and friends. “My hope is that retirement brings them the same satisfaction and sense of purpose they brought to work each day,” said Dr. Hoffman. “I hope they take pride in the difference they’ve made and find time to do what matters most to them.”
ABOUT THE BUCKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT (Bucks IU):
Celebrating over 50 years of service! The Bucks IU supports improvements and advancements in student learning by providing exceptional educational programs, innovative professional development, and advanced business/technology services. We serve people from ages birth through adults, students in public and private schools along with their staff and administrators, and the community of Bucks County. The Bucks IU is also the liaison between local schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information, go to www.BucksIU.org or call 215-348-2940.