Longtime Persell Middle School teacher Marianne Condella will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year after 30 years of service to JPS.

A beloved member of the Persell Middle School family will conclude her career at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

And, as Marianne Condella looks back on 30 years of teaching and building relationships with students from Jamestown’s west side, she admits it’s both exciting and bittersweet.

“It’s like one of those, ‘Oh my goodness, I’ve done this for 30 years. What do you do after?’ kind of moments” Condella said. “I don’t know anything different. I’m so grateful for this career — I’ll miss it.”

Condella has spent all three decades of her career at Persell — 29 of them in the same classroom. A 1988 Jamestown High School graduate, she returned to the area after earning degrees at SUNY JCC and SUNY Fredonia, starting with the district as a long-term substitute that eventually turned into a permanent role.

“I don’t think I ever really intended to go away and teach anywhere else,” she said about returning to Jamestown. “I was so connected with my family that I didn’t think about going anywhere else.”

Over the years, Condella has taught various subjects, including science, ELA, social studies, and math. While her role evolved, one thing remained the same: her focus on building relationships with students.

“The connections are a big part of teaching,” she said. “Obviously, the connection with the students, but also with my colleagues. It makes each day better. I think just making those connections — really getting to know the kids instead of just having them be students — is what has kept me going.”

The result has been a fun, welcoming, and supportive classroom environment.

“I always try to have fun with the kids while being consistent with expectations,” she said. “My goal has always been to make them feel welcome in this room.”

Teaching has changed significantly since she first started, especially with the rise of technology and shifts in student engagement.

“Trying to stay up with technology is a beast in itself,” she said. “But beyond that, you have to have patience and flexibility. You have to adjust and find ways to reach them and make school a safe place for them.”

And she has: former students often get excited to come back to Persell and visit Cordella and in turn, she enjoys seeing those same students out in the community.

“It’s always exciting to see them,” she said. “A lot of times they’ll come up and hug me, and I love asking what they’re doing now. It makes my heart happy to see them and to know that they’re doing well.”

While she has many fond memories, pinpointing just one highlight from her career is difficult.

“My highs definitely outweigh my lows,” she said. “I’ve put in a lot of work to become more confident in my teaching over the years and that final product is rewarding.”

Her colleagues — especially her principal — will miss her.

“Over the last 30 years, Marianne has helped create a culture of warmth, support, and dedication that makes Persell feel like home for both students and staff,” said Traci Thompson, Persell principal. “Her classroom has always been a place where students feel welcomed, valued, and encouraged to be themselves. Beyond that, Marianne has been an incredible teammate — always willing to support her colleagues, embrace collaboration, and bring positivity to our school. It’s been a pleasure to work with her and we will miss her dearly as she retires.”

As she looks ahead to retirement, Condella is excited to spend more time with family, travel, and embrace new experiences. As for those considering a career in education, she emphasized the importance of dedication, organization, and flexibility.

“Teaching has changed, but it’s still very rewarding,” she said. “I’ve spent so much time making sure I was prepared and organized, because that’s how I roll. And as I look back, I truly appreciate all the friendships I have made along the way.”