As the 2023-2024 school year ends, Portsmouth High School is saying goodbye to some familiar faces. We wish the best of luck to these retirees! Thank you all for what you have contributed to our community. 

William Schefer

Welding teacher

Our welding teacher who “retires every year” William Schefer has completely reconstructed the welding curriculum we know today. The last welding teacher did not have any structure in his curriculum, and Schefer knew that had to change. Schefer has been at Portsmouth High School since 2008.

Schefer strives to help others succeed and finds joy in seeing others proud of themselves. These things are what make Schefer’s job so worthwhile. 

Schefer wants his students to “enjoy the fruits of their labor and make good money.” 

A class will always be left behind when Schefer retires because his program is two years long. Schefer is sad to go but he knows it’s time. 

Over the summer of 2023, Schefer was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and when Schefer came back for the school year, he was very tired. Schefer did not feel this was fair to his students and wanted them to have the best opportunity to thrive, so this is officially his last year. 

“I’ll miss my students, I’ll miss my colleagues,” says Schefer.

When Schefer retires, he is excited to spend time with his grandbaby and family in Minneapolis. Schefer also plans to travel around and spend his winter in Southern Italy. 

A teacher to fill in for Schefer has yet to be found, and with Schefer’s impending retirement, he is becoming wary of the future of the welding program. Schefer plans to return next year as a substitute to help out the new teacher. He does not want his curriculum to be dropped or forgotten. 

What Schefer wants his replacement to have is a passion for teaching kids, and someone who likes the kids. 

Schefer is excited to have more control over his schedule, as he never liked working five days a week. This change in his schedule will give Schefer time to read new books. 

“Mr. Schefer is a unicorn,” says Courtney Ritchings when asked about Schefer.

Ritchings has worked with Schefer for all her five years here at Portsmouth High School and thinks highly of him. Richings spoke about the field trips Schefer has introduced to our school such as; the RH White field trips, Construction Career Day, and The Naval Shipyard field trips. 

Florina Cole

Custodian

Florina Cole has worked as a custodian for Portsmouth High School since 2000. 

Through those 24 years, Cole has expressed she loved seeing the graduations. All of Cole’s children have attended and graduated from PHS. The graduation of 2024 is the last graduation Cole is going to see. 

Others described Cole as “always on the go” and fast at her job. 

“I do love it,” says Cole when asked about her job.

Cole has expressed that she likes her job and seeing the kids grow, but she is getting old. She is excited to spend time with her grandson who was just born. 

“She’s retiring to take care of her grandbaby,” Arthur Ashley chimes in when asking Cole about the time after retiring.

Cole is worried about being home too much and not knowing what to do with herself. She plans to find a part-time job to occupy some of her time. 

James Sparell

District Psychologist 

James Sparrell did not always think he was going to become a Psychologist. In college, Sparrell studied religion and philosophy. Sparrell enjoys his career and is glad he is where he is. Science and natural science have been a big part of Sparrell’s life, as he has loved them for a long time.

In college, Sparrell contributed to his school newspaper. He wrote comedy bits and enjoyed his time writing. 

Sparell started at PHS on September 11, 1991. At the time the Gulf War was taking place. The U.S. was bombing Iraq, and there was a lot of chaos and fear in the world. This didn’t stop Sparrell from continuing with his position. Sparrell was looking for change and balance and this job provided him with that.

Sparrell has traveled extensively in his life to places like Vietnam, Sweden, the Arctic, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. 

When Sparrell retires, he plans to spend some time traveling with his wife to some national parks, as well as Australia, Alaska, and back to Vietnam. Sparrell is also very interested in photography in his free time; he takes pictures as well as writes articles for the NH bird records. 

Steve Cirillo

Performing Arts Coordinator 

Steve Cirillo has loved teaching from a young age. In the sixth grade, he taught a classmate how to play the drums every day at recess. Cirillo has taught every grade level and currently teaches ninth to twelfth grade as a Performing Arts Coordinator. 

Along with teaching, music has also been a big part of Cirillo’s life. He can play every single band instrument. His favorite, though, is Percussion and the Timpani. 

Cirillo started at Portsmouth High School in the fall of 1988. Cirillo has loved all 36 years of working at PHS. 

Cirillo has many fond memories of his students and their accomplishments. The annual Portsmouth holiday parade is a favorite of his. 

Cirillo and former Performing Arts Coordinator, Mr. Elwell took their students on a two-week trip to Virginia for a festival. Another big trip was, five years ago Cirillo brought his music class to our sister city in Japan named Nichinan. 

When Cirillo retires, he still wants to teach beginning Percussion and is excited to go skiing in the Alps with his wife.  

Ralph Langer 

Custodian

Ralph Langer has worked at PHS since June 2003. Since he has been there both of his children have graduated from PHS. 

“Ralph’s a good person,” says Arthur Ashley, the head custodian for PHS.

Langer’s wife passed away in 2023, and to cheer him up and bring some happiness into his life, Sarah Mundy, one of PHS’s art teachers, ran a GoFundMe for him. Mundy sent Langer to Nova Scotia, where he previously was planning a trip with his wife. 

“People really stand up for each other in this place,” says Ashley.

You can always find Langer and his daughter at the PHS plays. Langer is a big fan of drama and the arts.

Rose Bradder

PEEP

Rose Bradder has worked for the Preschool Special Ed Program for 36 years. The PEEP program works with children typically developing and those with educational disabilities. 

Bradder loves the kids she works with and sees how kind and passionate they are. 

Bradder has a nice community where she works and enjoys her coworkers. 

“My colleagues are my friends,” says Bradder.

Since she was little, Bradder liked to help people out. At the age of seven Bradder found so much joy in playing with her disabled neighbor. 

Bradder is sad to leave and hopes to find another job working with kids.