Two South Dearborn teachers make good on retirement promise

(AURORA, Ind.) – Two longtime South Dearborn teachers have lived up to a promise they made many years ago. 

Michele Mitchell and Dan Rogers were both hired by the school corporation in 1990. 

She taught special education and language arts while Dan taught physical education and social studies. 

They initially started working at the old Aurora Middle School before it caught fire in 2001. 

Dan and Michele then moved to the middle school when it was at the current Aurora Elementary building. 

When the current middle school was built, Michele moved there while Dan stayed at the elementary school. 

Around that time, a Dan and Michele started joking together. They would often tell each other, "We came in together and we'd leave together.”

At the beginning of this past school year, Dan told Michele that he was considering retirement. 

Michele admitted that she was also considering this school year to be her last. 

A promise they jokingly made more than 20 years ago ended up coming true. 

“By December, we both agreed that we were ready to spend more time with our spouses, families, and grandkids, so we both submitted our retirement letters within days of each other,” Michele said. 

Back in 1990, Dan and Michele were hired by principal Dave Chalk and George "Giggy" Gardner. 

The two teachers were honored this past Friday and Chalk stopped by to wish Dan and Michele happy retirements. 

“Through the years, I've had many principals. I was so lucky to be hired and mentored by Dave Chalk. He truly cared about each and every employee on his staff,” Michele said. 

She added, “My final principal was David Ladner, who reminds me in many ways of Mr. Chalk. He is a thoughtful and caring leader, who also cares for each staff member. I joked that I was very lucky to be hired by a David and retired with a David.”

The two longtime teachers are looking forward to enjoying time with their families and traveling.