Steiner ready to kick back

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Jean Steiner will retire from Dickinson Public Schools in June. Courtesy Photo

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Jean Steiner said while she’s enjoyed her time with Dickinson Public Schools, she’s ready to enjoy some time off.

Steiner will be retiring in June, after 28 years with the district, acting throughout the years as a teacher aide, secretary and as activities director administrative assistant. She has also been a cheerleading and pep club advisor.

“I started with the school district because my husband (Ron) and I moved here in 1980 when my husband became assistant principal at the high school,” Steiner said. “I had all intentions of staying home but having worked all my life, that just wasn’t going to cut it.”

Raised in Sidney, Mont., Steiner went to Dickinson State College, where she met her husband. She then began her career with the district as a classroom aide and secretary at South Elementary and then moved to Berg in 1983. In 1991, Jean started as administrative assistant for the activities director at Dickinson High School.

“I took the opportunity to move up here and have been here ever since,” Steiner said.

Throughout her career, Steiner has helped with a number of activities, and she said it’s definitely a “full-time job.”

Steiner has been a great influence and mentor, said Calvin Dean, DPS activities director.

“It’s been great, she’s been in that position for 18 years and I’ve been working with her for the past four, but she’s been super to work with and does a great job,” Dean said. “When I came into the position it was my first time as an administrator, I really looked at her as a mentor.

“In many ways she helped train me for that job and really helped me get through the first couple of years. She does so much behind the scenes I don’t know that everyone can appreciate all the stuff she does do.”

After she retires in June, Steiner said she will focus on raising her German Wirehair dogs and opening a dog-boarding facility.

“It’s just time (to retire),” Steiner said. “I’m ready. I’m excited to be a fan at events and get to watch them instead of working at them.”

Steiner said she hopes to spend more time with her seven grandchildren, as well.

Working with the students of Dickinson Public Schools has been a favorite part of her career, she added.

“You always hear so much about the bad kids but once you work with them you realize that the bad kids are a minority and the good kids are great and fun to be around,” Steiner said. “Education has always been a big part of my life.”

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