For almost 18 years Debbie Sparks has spent her days helping students and staff. These years will be cherished by many, come Wednesday, June 17. Sparks will say farewell to Linn-Benton as she begins the next chapter of her life, retirement.
“Debbie was the first teacher my daughter had when she started preschool here at PCDC at age 18 months. We only had her as a teacher for a year before they stopped the early age class, but she was a great teacher to me as a parent trying to navigate the life of a toddler,” said Kristi Murphey, a previous student.
After high school, Sparks attended Carroll College in Helena, Mont. for two years. Then she attended Northern Montana College for two years earning a degree in Elementary Education. Early childhood education was never Sparks interest, however that all changed. After witnessing a child’s fascination with dew on a leaf she was drawn to early childhood education.
Sparks originally found her way to Linn-Benton after seeing an ad in the Democrat-Herald for a position at Linn-Benton. In January of 1998 she took a position with the Family Literacy Program which was located just off-campus in the Childhood Development building. She held that position for seven and a half years.
In 2005, Sparks was offered a new position at the Albany campus as an early childhood teacher. During that time she had the opportunity to teach children ranging in ages from 18 months to two and half years old.
In 2009, Sparks became unemployed for six months, however it wasn’t all bad news. The following fall she enrolled in four class: accounting, intro to business, computer, and international business. While attending classes, she was offered her current position as instructional support assistant.
Sparks started as instructional support assistant in January 2010. She works in Willamette Hall Room 227. She assists instructors teaching Math 20 and Math 98 with class projects and preparing materials.
“It feels like I’m grieving a loss,” said Sparks.
In mid April, Sparks made the emotional decision to retire. A large part of Sparks identity is intertwined with her work at Linn-Benton, so the decision kept coming back to a few simple questions: who will I be and what will I do?
Sparks looks forward to being able to travel overseas to Yangon to see her then newborn grandchild in the fall, and spending time with her family.
When asked about her experience at Linn-Benton, Sparks expressed a great appreciation for all the wonderful people she had the opportunity to work with.
“It is a good place to work.”
She hopes to keep connected with friends she made along the way.
“I'm very sad to see Debbie leave Linn-Benton; she's such a kind and positive person. She's a great conversationalist and a great listener as well. She's nonjudgmental and upbeat. Like I told her, I'm happy for her, but sad for me. I'm going to miss her so much,” Lorrie Peterson, information support specialist.
Mathematics instructor Russ Buchard expressed distress about Sparks retirement too.
“The list of names of people who are going to miss her would take up an entire page of The Commuter.”
On Friday, June 5, her farewell reception will be held in the Fireside Lounge from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
“Debbie has been such a valuable member of our community,” said Jenny Strooband, animal science instructor and former student.
Sparks was born May 26, 1953, just celebrating her 62nd birthday. She has been married for almost 40 years to Jack Sparks and has two children, Corrine and Anthony.
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