Retirement Recognition 2026
Thirty-Eight Years of Service
Mrs. Moody has devoted her career to serving students with compassion, dedication, and faith. Reflecting on her years in education, she shared, “I feel that teaching is a calling from God and I have been blessed to do it for 38 years.” Throughout her career, she has touched the lives of countless students and families while creating meaningful relationships with colleagues and staff.
Mrs. Moody says one of the greatest blessings of her career has been working at Sullivan Elementary School, where “the staff is family.” Her caring personality, positive spirit, and commitment to students have made a lasting impact on the SES community, and she will be deeply missed by both staff and students.
As she begins retirement, Mrs. Moody is looking forward to spending more time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She also plans to do some traveling and hopes to visit every Civil War battlefield — even if she has to “drag” her husband along, as she jokingly shared that he is “not the history nerd” that she is!
Retirement will also bring plenty of opportunities for relaxation and hobbies, including fishing trips with her husband — where he fishes and she enjoys reading. An avid reader, Mrs. Moody already has a stack of books waiting on her nightstand. She also looks forward to continuing to bless others through baking, which she describes as her love language.
Southwest School Corporation sincerely thanks Mrs. Moody for her incredible 38 years of service, dedication, and love for students. We wish her a joyful and well-deserved retirement filled with family, travel, books, baking, and many wonderful memories ahead!
Eighteen Years of Service
Mrs. Lighthizer has served as the JAG Specialist at Sullivan High School, a role she describes as “the perfect fit” for her. Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly to support, encourage, and guide students while helping them prepare for success beyond high school. Her positive influence and commitment to students have made a lasting impact on the SHS community.
Reflecting on her career, Mrs. Lighthizer shared, “It has been an incredible privilege to work as a JAG Specialist at Sullivan High School all of these years. I think this was the perfect fit for me, and I am happy that I was able to be a part of it.”
Mrs. Lighthizer also expressed how much the relationships she built throughout her career have meant to her, sharing that Sullivan High School is “a great place to work” and that she has been blessed to work alongside so many wonderful people. She says she will miss every one of them.
As she begins this exciting new chapter, Mrs. Lighthizer is looking forward to retirement and the journey ahead. Southwest School Corporation sincerely thanks her for the dedication, compassion, and support she has provided to students and colleagues throughout the years.
Congratulations, Mrs. Lighthizer, and best wishes for a happy and well-deserved retirement!
Sixteen Years of Service
Mrs. Crock’s career in education has impacted countless students across multiple schools and grade levels. She began her journey teaching in a Christian school for three years, working with students in grades 5 through 8. She then served as an instructional aide at Clark Middle School in Vincennes for two years before joining Southwest Schools as an instructional aide at Carlisle for three years.
Mrs. Crock later became a kindergarten teacher at Carlisle, where she taught for three years before serving as a Title I teacher at Sullivan Elementary School for 11 years. She then returned to Carlisle, where she spent the final two years of her career teaching second grade.
Throughout her 16 years in education, Mrs. Crock has been known for her kindness, patience, and dedication to helping students grow both academically and personally. Her commitment to children and passion for education have left a lasting impact on the students, families, and colleagues she has worked alongside over the years.
Reflecting on her retirement, Mrs. Crock shared, “It means a lot to me to be able to retire from the same school that I attended as a child!”
Southwest School Corporation sincerely thanks Mrs. Crock for her years of service and the positive difference she has made in the lives of so many students. We wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter of retirement!
Fourteen Years of Service
After 14 years of dedicated service as the School Resource Officer at Sullivan Elementary School, Carl Melchert is retiring and leaving behind a lasting impact on the students, staff, and families he served each day.
Known affectionately by many students as “Cop Carl,” Carl became an important part of the Sullivan Elementary family through the relationships he built and the care he showed to students every day. His focus was never just on safety and security — it was about making connections, encouraging students, and helping children have good days.
Throughout his years at Sullivan Elementary, Carl was a trusted and caring presence for students and staff alike. In 2022, Carl experienced the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Angie, and he credits the Sullivan Elementary family with helping him through that difficult time.
Carl also treasures the connection he has had with his own family at Sullivan Elementary, including his two grandchildren who attend the school.
As retirement begins, Carl is preparing for an exciting new chapter as he moves back to his hometown of Green Bay to marry Molly and begin this next stage of life surrounded by family and loved ones.
Sullivan Elementary School is grateful for Carl’s 14 years of service, dedication, and care for students. He will be deeply missed by the entire school community.
Congratulations, Carl, on your retirement and thank you for everything you have done for Sullivan Elementary School!
Ten Years of Service
Throughout her time at Southwest Schools, Mrs. Banther has been a dependable and hardworking member of the school community. She consistently supported students with their school work, assisted teachers with classroom instruction, and helped office and administrative staff with countless daily responsibilities. Her willingness to help wherever needed made her an invaluable part of the building each day.
Known for her reliability, kindness, and caring nature, Mrs. Banther was often one of the first smiling faces students saw each morning as they entered the building. Her warm presence and positive attitude helped create a welcoming environment for students, staff, and families alike.
Mrs. Banther’s dedication to helping others and supporting the success of students has made a lasting impact on Southwest School Corporation. Her commitment and compassion will certainly be missed by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside her.
Southwest School Corporation sincerely thanks Mrs. Banther for her years of faithful service and wishes her all the best in retirement and the exciting new chapter ahead!
Ten Years of Service
Cheryle Middleton’s retirement marks the close of a decade of dedicated service to the students and staff of Sullivan Elementary School.
For the past 10 years, Cheryle has served as an instructional assistant in a variety of grade levels and roles, always stepping in wherever she was needed most.
Throughout her time at Sullivan Elementary, Cheryle became known for her patience, kindness, and reliability. Whether assisting students with classroom activities, supporting teachers, or helping with daily school operations, she approached every task with a positive attitude and a willingness to help.
Staff members could always count on Cheryle to lend a hand whenever and wherever she was asked. One of the qualities that stood out most about Cheryle was her consistency and dedication. She rarely missed work and was a dependable presence each day for both students and coworkers. Her caring nature helped create a welcoming environment for countless students over the years.
Above all, Cheryle’s love for her children and grandchildren has always been evident, and she now looks forward to spending more time with her family during retirement.
Sullivan Elementary School is grateful for Cheryle’s years of service, compassion, and commitment to students. She will be deeply missed by the students, teachers, and staff whose lives she touched each day.
Congratulations, Cheryle, on your retirement, and thank you for everything you have done for Sullivan Elementary School!
Four Years of Service
Cathy Pirtle is retiring after four years of dedicated service as an administrative assistant in the Special Education Department at Southwest School Corporation.
During her time with the corporation, Cathy became known for her caring personality, organization, and willingness to help wherever needed. Her support and dedication helped ensure the smooth operation of the Special Education Department, and she built many positive relationships with staff, students, and families along the way.
Before joining Southwest Schools, Cathy worked as a church secretary for 24 years, bringing decades of experience in serving others and supporting her community.
Family has always been at the center of Cathy’s life. She has been married to her husband, Rodney Pirtle, for 13 years. Rodney also serves the corporation as a contract bus driver. Together, they share a large and loving blended family with seven children and eleven grandchildren.
As she begins retirement, Cathy is looking forward to spending more time with family, gardening, and finally getting the chance to sleep in — at least until 7:00 a.m.
Southwest School Corporation is grateful for Cathy’s years of service, kindness, and dedication. She will be greatly missed by her coworkers and everyone she has worked alongside during her time here.
Congratulations, Cathy, on your retirement, and best wishes in this exciting new chapter!