After giving years of service to Bear River, several teachers are hanging up their teaching career and retiring.

At the close of this school year, several beloved teachers are retiring including History Teacher Jeff Carrow, Athletic Director Scott Savoie, and Special Education (S.E.) Teachers Kathy Kopecky and Claudia Jones. As we say goodbye to these beloved teachers and wish them good fortune into their new way of life, staff and students relish the good times they had with these amazing teachers.

Principal Chris Roberts shared how Mr. Carrow will be missed on campus.

“He is probably one of the best on the campus at getting to know students and building relationships with students,” he said. “That builds trust with the students and the students trust him and wanna perform and do the best for him. I also think he is a very calming influence on the campus and brings a lot of culture to what we do.”

Mr. Carrow, who has worked at Bear River for 22 years, shared what his favorite thing about teaching at BRHS was.

“My friendships with the students by far was my favorite thing about teaching here at Bear River,” said Mr. Carrow. “All of the tennis, all of the classes, the stories, the talent shows, and all of the interactions with students and the friendships I’ve made.”

Junior Grayson Scheda shared what his favorite experience with Mr. Carrow was.

“My favorite experience with Carrow had to have been when he had us do an abstracted art project in class,” shared Scheda. “He seemed very passionate about what he was teaching and he made the entire class interested.”

Sophomore Grace Gurrola shares what she will miss most about Mr. Carrow not being on campus.

“I’m mostly just going to miss Mr. Carrow,” said Gurrola. “There is not a mean bone in that man’s body. He is so kind, he is just a joy in my life, and never fails to make me laugh during class. His jokes, his stories, the connection we have and much more.”

Coach Savoie, who has worked at Bear River for 27 years, is also retiring from teaching/coaching.

Principal Roberts talked about how much Coach Savoie brought to Bear River over the years.

“In so many different ways inside the classroom and out on the field [he] has brought… a steady stream of success to our school, to our students,” said Mr. Roberts. “As an athletic director, Mr. Savoie has brought so much to the campus, it’s almost incalculable.” 

Coach Savoie shared his favorite thing about working at Bear River.

“My favorite thing about Bear River is the people,” said Coach Savoie. “The staff, the kids, the community. I think a lot of people take it for granted that we live in a place like we do and being surrounded by the people we are. I think that [the people] is what makes Bear River special”

Senior Cade Torgerson shared how Savoie has treated him like an equal on the field.

“My junior year I started playing football and when I came out he treated me like I had been playing my entire life, showed me sport and all of its positions and tried to help me be the best he wanted me to be.”

Last, but never least, are the two Special Ed teachers Mrs. Jones, who is a veteran teacher, and Mrs. Kopecky, who has worked here for a couple of years.

Mr. Roberts shared how both Jones and Kopecky have impacted the school.

“Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Kopecky bring a common influence to the staff and to our students. Over the last so many years they have done an incredible job of building culture within their department.”

Sophomore Zack Decicco shared how Jones has helped him through his first year of high school.

“Jones has helped me with finding my place in the school,” started Decicco. “I came here from Union Hill, and didn’t know very many people, so I was the new kid. She also has just been there when I needed help with my academic work.”

Senior Marco Davis shared what he will miss most about Mrs. Jones.

“Jones has always been there for me for personal reasons and I would come to her for advice sometimes when I was upset and she has always been on my side in the worst conditions. It’s going to be hard when she retires, because [there are] a lot of other people who are going to be freshman would’ve really liked her if she wasn’t retiring.”

Davis also shared what he will miss most about both Jones and Kopecky.

“I will miss the fact that they have been there with me since the start of my freshman year.”