Beginning and ending together
Jenn Miller was a teacher and also a crosswalk guard before and after school at Buffalo Ridge Elementary. Many of the families showed up to say goodbye on Jenn’s retirement day in May, after 21 years.
Two educators who started work on the same day in 2004 at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) also retired on the same day in May, 21 years later. Jenn Miller and Danielle Peddie met as colleagues at BRE and have become lifelong friends, both ready for what comes next.
“It is bittersweet but there are no more Monday morning commutes to school,” said Jenn, who lives in the Charter Oaks neighborhood. “It was weird to turn in our keys, wipe down the computers and walk out the door for the last time.”
Jenn began her teaching career in Pueblo before marrying and relocating to Castle Pines. She taught first and second grades at BRE and was also a reading interventionist, helping kids who were struggling to read. In the last few years, Jenn’s role was as an English language learner teacher, working with children who speak a different language or have a different language spoken at home.
“I helped children who spoke 17 different languages learn English, like Swahili, Mandarin and Russian, to name a few,” said Jenn. “You’d be surprised how many languages there are at BRE.”
Danielle, a Green Briar resident, joined BRE as an Education Assistant, helping many of the teachers in all grades with everything they needed. She then became an Instructional Assistant, helping groups of students with lessons and the teachers to maximize instructional time.
“I was honored to receive an Apple Award even though I am not a teacher, per se,” said Danielle.
In retirement, Jenn said she plans to read, relax, attend Pilates classes, continue to bead jewelry and wants to learn photography and pottery.
Danielle and her husband are in the process of getting a new puppy and recently put their house on the market with hopes to move to Woodland Park. She wants to take more walks and take golf lessons so she can tee off with her husband.
Danielle and Jenn are avid readers and have recently started a book club to keep in touch.
Both ladies underscored that BRE fosters a friendly, welcoming work environment where people take care of each other. “It was nice to want to go to work and be around your colleagues,” said Danielle.
Jenn reminisced on her years at BRE. “It’s amazing to live in the community where you work and heartwarming to see families and former students at King Soopers,” concluded Jenn. “I run into them all of the time.”
Danielle Peddie (left) and Jenn Miller (right) on their retirement day at Buffalo Ridge Elementary. They gave their final farewell on the BRE newscast in front of a green scene of a beach.
Colleagues Jenn Miller (left) and Danielle Peddie (right) both retired from Buffalo Ridge Elementary in May.
By Hollen Wheeler; photos courtesy of Jenn Miller
