Over 31 years, Ross covered many roles
From the classroom to the health office, and from the media center to the lunchroom and playground, Deb Ross served students in a wide variety of capacities during her 31 years with Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools.
That she did so in a memorable manner is evident in the way former students still recognize and thank her decades after they moved on from her care.
“It makes you feel good, like maybe you made a difference to them,” Ross said.
The versatile Education Support Professional (ESP) retired last fall after beginning her career at Parkside Elementary and then spending most of her working years at Montrose Elementary School of Innovation.
“The kids were wonderful,” Ross said. “The things they say and do made me laugh.”
Lisa Kunde, a second-grade teacher in Montrose, said Ross helped behaviorally challenging and academically advanced students alike over the years, and credited Ross’s positive, firm manner in helping those students succeed.
“It’s very beneficial to work with ESPs who know how to support students while still providing an appropriate level of challenge and independence for them. Deb was always able to do this,” Kunde said. “The students liked her and also respected her. I was able to count on Deb to support students with minimal direction from me, and I knew that she would provide just enough support and would maintain high expectations for them. She was very competent and could jump right in where there was a need.”
Montrose Principal Tony Steffes said Ross’s “kindness and general concern for others” was a defining trait, and that she built strong relationships with students, their families and her colleagues.
“We wish her all the best in her retirement and hope that she is able to spend this time with her family and friends,” he said.
A variety of roles
Ross began working for the school district when her youngest child started kindergarten, filling in as a substitute special education ESP. She was soon offered a permanent position and spent the next two years at Parkside. Schedules shifted when the new high school opened in 1997, and Ross decided to apply for an open special education ESP position in Montrose that would maintain the hours she needed in order to care for her own children at home.
Ross said she was drawn to special education in part because of the negative attitudes she witnessed while growing up on the Iron Range toward low-functioning students who had special needs.
“That stuck in my mind,” she said. “Everybody needs to be given a chance. I like an underdog, and I liked working with those students.”
Eventually there was an opportunity to serve as the health office ESP, and Ross shifted there for about 18 years. She had received a fair amount of first-aid and CPR training, and the role allowed her to apply her interest in medical matters. Shortly before the onset of COVID, Ross moved back to the classroom.
“I wanted to get out and be with the kids more,” she said.
She also worked the lunch room, supervised the playground and ran the media center.
“[The media center] used to be a six-hour position and it got cut down to 1.5 hours, so there was a lot to get done,” Ross said. “I would recruit some fifth-grade students to come in and shelve the books after I checked them in. I trained them all, and they would do the shelving really quick. They loved doing that.”
One role Ross particularly enjoyed was helping older students with group reading time. She would select books, participate in group discussion, and direct students as they completed the associated schoolwork.
“I’d sit with the groups, so I got to read a lot of books, and I do love to read,” Ross said with a laugh.
Departure and return
At one point, a dozen or so years into working for the school district, Ross had the opportunity to take a leave of absence and try a different job offered to her at an eye clinic. Although she enjoyed the work there, she ultimately decided after her one-year leave that it was time to return to the school district.
“It was bittersweet because that was fast-paced, interesting work and I learned a lot, but I missed the kids,” Ross said. “I really enjoyed them.”
The feeling was mutual.
“She was positive, encouraging and committed to making them the best kids they could be,” said fellow ESP Teri Schultz. “She had high expectations and the students knew it. They would sometimes complain, but would strive to do it because they knew she had faith they could achieve it. They knew if they couldn’t, she was there to help. The kids really liked Deb and missed her when she left.”
Although there were challenges at times, Ross never again doubted that she was in the right place.
“Toward the end the kids gave me a run for my money. They knew I was getting old and couldn’t keep up with them,” she said with a laugh. “They’d say, ‘Were you around when they drove horses and buggies?’ But it’s been a wonderful, wonderful time at the school district. I wouldn’t change anything.”
Part of that satisfaction came from the relationships with her co-workers.
“The staff members were wonderful over at Montrose,” said Ross. “I made a lot of very close friends, people I will consider friends for the rest of my life.”
Retirement
In retirement Ross is enjoying traveling with her husband, spending time in Florida during the winter, and attending the various activities of her nine grandchildren. She also intends to volunteer at their schools in St. Michael and Elk River this fall.
“They’re busy, so it was a good time to retire,” Ross said. “This has been a great place to work. I loved the health office. I loved the media center. I didn’t mind working the lunch room and I really liked the playground because it was outdoors.
“And before you know it, it’s time to retire. The years go by so fast, but it’s been amazing.”
