North is full of educated, kind and helpful staff. However, every year, some members decide to move on to a different part of their lives and retire.
P.E. teacher, George Marlin, science teacher Anthony Holler and social worker Latrina Smith will be leaving North at the end of this school year.
“I had a lot of fun with the people here,” Marlin said. “[I’ll really miss] the school atmosphere and the people. We accomplished a great deal in the classrooms and out in a very short period of time.”
Throughout these years, Marlin has experienced many great memories at North, and he has been a teacher here since it opened.
“[My favorite memory was] the first-year scrambling to get everything done with half the building still under construction,” Marlin said.
Marlin has had an immense impact throughout the years and will be missed by many students and staff members.
John Darlington, a coworker of Marlin said his best memory is “[how he] always parks between two spots.”
As for the students at North, Marlin advises them to “work hard, do your best and show up every day. It will pay off in the future.”
Darlington believes Marlin’s positive attitude during the school week has been helpful in keeping work fun even on the days that feel like they will never end.
“[He enjoys] being at school every day,” Darlington said.
Darlington is grateful for the knowledge Marlin has brought to the department. “[He has impacted the physical education department with] his grasp of state laws and the rules of the Illinois driver’s ed. Manual,” Darlington said.
Marlin will miss North and all the students and staff who have made this school what it is.
“We don’t know how lucky we and the students are to be here,” Marlin said. “Most don’t realize it, but we have a very good school. ”
Though Marlin is leaving, he wishes the staff the best of luck.

Another staff member to retire this year is Student Services social worker Latrina Smith.
Fellow social worker Kassandra Foleno, who works with Smith, values her aid to all families.
“She is great for giving guidance on homeless services in the community,” Foleno said.
Jennifer DePrey, another fellow social worker with Smith, believes that Smith has helped other staff members with her knowledge.
“[Her legacy is] being an extra resource provider,” DePrey said. “She does a really good job into digging into other resources.”
Her work as a social worker has improved the lives of students in the school.
“Mrs. Smith has a big heart, and has impacted many students’ lives in the building,” Foleno said. “She is a great resource for our building with connecting students to outside resources.”
Smith runs three anxiety groups for students to guide students with ways to cope with anything going on in their lives. It is an important outlet for the students.
“Last week [during the anxiety group], she brought in calming tools that she used like a tool box and beads,” DePrey said. “[My favorite memory] is all the different activities she did and the great resources she provides for people.”
She will leave an impact on her coworkers and all those who have been helped because of her work, assistance and advice to anyone who needed it from her.
“Mrs. Smith is a great listener and always offers valuable feedback,” Foleno said.
DePrey, who worked with Smith at Plainfield Central will also miss Smith and her accountability.
“[She and I] have always had a good relationship,” DePrey said. “We bounce ideas off each other. She also has a great sense of humor and she’s a hard worker. I will miss knowing that if I’m not available, she will be there.”
Assistant Principal in charge of Student Services Art Stafford echoes the sentiments of his department.
“She has been a pleasure to work with,” Stafford said. “It’s really impossible to care more about kids than she does.”

The last retiree is science teacher Anthony Holler, who has worked at North for 13 years.
According to Holler, his favorite memory at North was “setting off the fire alarm for a school record of seven times.”
He has been a definite favorite among students and advises them all to “read books.”
Nancy McBride, a fellow chemistry teacher, shares Holler’s love for reading and will miss their discussions of their shared interests.
“Mr. Holler and I talk about books,” McBride said. “I’ll miss his recommendations.”
The chemistry teacher has done many mind-blowing labs with his students such as the liquid nitrogen lab, which makes learning more interesting.
“Mr. Holler is kind enough to invite other teachers’ classes into his classroom to learn about liquid nitrogen [during the demonstrations],” McBride said. “It’s a fun day of science.”
McBride believes Holler’s legacy will live on.
“Mr. Holler has a fun and captivating classroom environment, that students and staff will remember forever,” McBride said.
In addition to teaching, Holler is also the head track and field coach and has been a vital part of the program and all of its successes.
“Coach Holler has made our school one of the absolute, most respected track and field programs in the state,” said Brian Damhoff, who coaches track with Holler.
Both on and off the track, he has positively influenced his students and those around him.
“I think Coach Holler’s impact on students is immeasurable,” Damhoff said. “There is an aura about Coach Holler that just inspires you to be a better person.”
Special education teacher Andrew Derks is another coach alongside Holler and has worked with him for the past seven years. He agrees with McBride and Damhoff and believes Holler is truly irreplaceable.
“[He will leave behind] a legacy of putting students and athletes first, not following the crowd and the importance of being an “outside the box” thinker,” Derks said.