For Nanette “Nan” Lubbers, retirement is a bittersweet farewell to a place she’s called home for decades.
After years of service as a beloved paraprofessional at Hamilton Elementary, Nan will officially retire at the end of the school year, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, encouragement, and deep-rooted community spirit.
“It’s a lot of emotions,” she said. “I’m excited, but I’m sad—it’s one of those times where you find yourself wanting to document every ‘last time’ moment. It’s all just very bittersweet.”
For Nan, it’s always been about the students. “That’s my favorite part—seeing the ‘aha’ moments when something clicks for them. Their excitement, their growth... it’s the best part of the job.”
A Hamilton graduate herself, Nan’s connection to the district runs deep. She attended Hamilton Elementary, sent her own children through the district, and has spent her professional life pouring into the next generation of Hawkeyes. “I’ve met so many great families, made so many friends. It’s been such a blessing. I just love being part of this community.”
Her voice cracks with emotion when speaking about her co-workers. “We’re a family here. We celebrate together, support each other through the hard stuff, and always have each other’s backs. That will be the hardest part to leave.”
Though stepping away from her daily routine with students will be difficult, Nan is looking forward to a new chapter—one filled with more time spent with her parents, her grandchildren, and hopefully, a little bit of travel with her husband, who also plans to retire soon.
As she looks ahead, Nan remains overwhelmingly grateful. “I’m just so thankful they allowed me to do this for so many years. It’s been a great ride, and I’ll miss it all dearly.”
