Mary Jane Roberts honored for career, 12 years on board
Mary Jane Roberts OXFORD — took part in her final meeting as a member of the Talawanda Board of Education and was thanked for her 12 years of service as a board member.
Her years in the district have not been limited to those 12 years, however, as she started as a teacher in the district, served as assistant principal and principal at Kramer Elementary and has been active as a parent and grandparent of children in district schools.
Roberts has been in attendance at many Talawanda sporting events, and board members presented her with a sports jersey with her name on the back as a farewell gift. She leaves the board of education as its vice president after choosing to not run for a fourth term in last month’s election.
The jersey was presented to her by board president Chris Otto, and that was followed by a chorus of appreciative comments from board members and administrators.
Board members Dr. Kathleen Knight-Abowitz and Dr. Rebecca Howard both expressed appreciation for her help when both joined the board two years ago beginning new terms.
“Thank you, Mary Jane, as an inspiration, you have been a great coach in my first two years on the board,” Knight-Abowitz said.
Howard said Roberts leaves a great legacy and stood to lead a standing ovation for the departing board member.
Pat Meade, who will start his second term on the board next month after re-election in November, said he and Roberts have not always agreed on everything, but he appreciated being able to work with her.
“In four years, I have come to appreciate your expertise and knowledge. I have come to admire
your boardmanship. I have learned a lot in that area from you,” Meade said. “It has been an honor to work with you.”
District CFO and Trea- surer Shaunna Tafelski, who moved into that position last year with the death of Mike Davis, said Roberts has helped her grow into that role.
“Talawanda is a better place for your guidance over 12 years, especially in my transition into this role,” Tafelski said.
Superintendent Ed Theroux echoed that, saying he appreciated Roberts’ support in giving him a chance to lead the district.
“I truly appreciate that you always have the students in your heart. You make a difference in the community,” Theroux said, adding she could have retired a long time ago but chose not to do so. “You chose to continue your role as an educator.”
Roberts said it has been fun to continue to support the district and its students.
“Thanks for my many years in the district. I started as a teacher many years ago, and I wanted to continue that support,” she said. “These 12 years have been well worth it.”
In the public participation portion of the agenda at that meeting, a letter was read from the Talawanda Educators Association thanking her for her service to students in the district.
“We want to acknowledge Mary Jane Roberts in her final meeting. She shaped a generation of Talawanda students,” the letter read, and continued with a reference to her work during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We found her to be the voice of reason.”
She was also the subject of a proclamation from the city of Oxford read by Vice Mayor Chantel Raghu in an early agenda item, declar- ing that day, Dec. 13, as Mary Jane Roberts Day in the city.
“Dr. Mary Jane Roberts has provided exemplary service to the Talawanda school district by serving as a teacher for three years, serving as an assistant prin- cipal for four years, and as a principal for twelve years and during that time men- tored teachers, touched the lives of countless children and calmed the fears and concerns of many parents,” the proclamation says in its introduction.
It goes on the cite her ser- vice to the board of edu- cation, providing profes- sionalism, being involved in the construction of three school buildings and supporting Talawanda students by attending athletic com- petitions and performances.
“Dr. Mary Jane Roberts has left a legacy of professionalism and grace,” the proclamation said.
Her career in education began in 1968 teaching special education students. She worked in Kramer, Somerville school and McGuffey Foundation School. She took a year off to get her master’s degree and then spent four years in the title I program at Somerville and Collinsville schools. She said she took time off for her kids, doing private tutoring. She returned to work when contacted by Miami University to start a high-risk program at Hanna House. She spent six years with Miami and taught a child development class there.
She then moved into the assistant principal’s role at Kramer for four years, and when principal Bill Bryan was moved to Marshall, she became Kramer’s principal for 12 years until 2000. She also taught for four years at West Milton before retiring from public education. That was followed by 10 years as a consultant for Pearson Publishing.
“I love what I do,” she said, explaining a full retirement is not in her immediate future. She is working with an anti-poverty team through her church and said, “I just decided not to run (for another term on the school board). I’m just going in a different direction.”
Of her board experience, Roberts said she was able to bring her experience to the planning for the new school buildings as well as other efforts of the board.
Roberts was also active on state committees, but turned down a 2014 governor’s appointment to the state board of education in order to stay active on the local board.