"Retired" special education teacher, Mrs. Jane Rantz, was Exeter’s nomination for this year’s BCIU Annie Sullivan Award. This annual award recognizes individuals who work in educational institutions and provide outstanding advocacy and service to students with disabilities. This year’s ceremony, which was held on Wednesday night at the Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences, was once again a meaningful occasion, recognizing 21 nominees representing the 18 school districts and two career and technology centers within Berks County.

Mrs. Rantz was nominated by her peers in Exeter for her unwavering dedication to students and her enduring commitment to the field of special education--even beyond her retirement.

“For most people, retirement is a pinnacle that is worked towards, counted down to and celebrated,” said Ms. Jessica Kaiser, Special Education Supervisor. “There might be parties, planned vacations, gardening and standing brunch dates. For special education teachers, there might even be a ceremonial burning of progress monitoring pages and an abandonment of binders and sticky notes. All of these simple pleasures are well deserved after a career of loving, supporting, teaching and supporting students and their families with one’s whole soul.

"But for one special soul in Exeter, however, retirement was a quick little change in status that lasted only mere moments,” Ms. Kaiser continued. “For Jane Rantz, the calling to teach has failed to fade and the list of students she has continued to serve only grows.”

Mrs. Rantz’s path to education was far from traditional. After graduating with a teaching degree, she built successful careers in the furniture and manufacturing industries before returning to education in her fifties, seeking stability and purpose. What followed was a journey through a wide range of roles: High school life skills, elementary multiple disabilities, junior high emotional support and high school science--each met with the same dedication and care.

Though she once announced her retirement with plans to travel the country with her husband, it didn’t last long. Within a month, she returned, ready to continue doing what she does best: Supporting students and staff with humor, warmth and kindness.

“Legions of Exeter educators have regaled us with stories of her humor, her warmth and her kindness,” Ms. Kaiser shared. "When someone hears the name Jane Rantz, it is often followed by a smile and a heartfelt, 'Oh, I love Jane; she…'" It's a testament to the lasting impact she has made on the Exeter community.

Our warmest congratulations to Mrs. Rantz and her fellow nominees for their heartfelt and dedicated work supporting students throughout Berks County.