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Wing commander recognizes retiring teachers

Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, and (far right) Kelly Painter, 319th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer, stand with teachers (from left to right) Patti Patry, Theresa Nordin, Laurel Urbaniak and Karen Griffis in the Nathan W. Twining Elementary and Middle School auditorium on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., May 21, 2014. The four teachers were presented with flags and certificates upon their retirements from the school. Together, they represent more than 100 years of combined service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney)

Wing commander recognizes retiring teachers

Published May 21, 2014
By Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Nathan W. Twining Elementary and Middle School held its end-of-year award ceremony here May 21.

In addition to rewarding top academic and athletic achievements, the school also honored four teachers on their retirement.

Karen Griffis, Theresa Nordin, Patti Patry and Laurel Urbaniak have a combined educational experience of more than 100 years, much of it spent teaching military dependents.

Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, made a special visit to the ceremony.

"Teachers help secure the future of our nation," Bauman said, telling the gathered faculty and students that while he has held several positions in his Air Force career, one in particular stood out.

"One of the greatest jobs I had was teaching," he said, referring to his time as an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Marveling at the Twining teachers' longevity of service, Bauman added "but I only did it for three years!"

Bauman then presented each of the teachers with a certificate of appreciation. The teachers also received flags that had been flown on an RQ-4 Global Hawk from Grand Forks AFB.

"They have been here an extremely long time...it's nice to recognize them this way," said Kelly Painter, 319th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer.

Painter wished to add that in addition to the four teachers retiring from Twining, two teachers from Carl Ben Eielson Elementary School will be retiring as well.

Jennie Quanrud and Pam Hvidsten also received flags and certificates for their respective 18 and 25 years of service.

While the teachers considered the moment bittersweet, they were proud of their achievement.

Patry has taught special education students for 35 years, 21 of them on Grand Forks Air Force Base.

"Teaching base children has been the highlight of my career," said the Rolla, N.D., native. "I love it here."