Two Teachers Retire from Thirkill Elementary School
Michele Stoor
Long-time teachers, Michele Stoor and Mary Gambles, are retiring from Thirkill Elementary School in Soda Springs. Their many years of service and dedication has been a benefit to the many students they have taught as well as to the Soda Springs School District.
Michele was raised in Chesterfield, Idaho and graduated from North Gem High school. She went on to further her education at Idaho State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.
Michele has taught in the Soda Springs School District for 33 years. Before teaching in Soda Springs Michele taught 1st and 3rd grade in Rupert, ID. Michele has taught grades 1, 3, and 4. She has spent the majority of her career teaching 3rd grade.
Her favorite part about teaching was hatching baby chicks in her classroom every spring and teaching her students about the life cycle of chickens. She loved to see the excitement in her students with the hatching of each baby chick.
Michele is the wife of John Stoor and the daughter of Phil and Shirley Christensen of Chesterfield. She is the mother of three children, Sierra (Riley), Hunter, and Shad. She is the mother of one grandson. Michele enjoys gardening, traveling, riding horses and camping.
Upon Michele’s retirement she plans to enjoy quality time with her family. Michele’s parting words of wisdom is, “Cheers to endless endless weekends and no alarm clocks!”
Mary Gambles has worked for the Soda Springs School District for 20 years. She has taught 4th grade for 13 years, 3rd grade for 6 years, and Developmental Preschool for 1 year.
Mary was raised in Soda Springs, Idaho and graduated from Soda Springs High School. She attended college at Brigham Young University and Idaho State University. She graduated from Idaho State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.
Mary’s favorite part of teaching is getting to know each of her students and their families. She also has enjoyed all the staff she has had the opportunity to work with.
Michele is the wife of Scott Gambles and the daughter of Charles and the late Virginia Jolley. She is the mother of Ashley (Todd), Sarah, and Cassie. She has two granddaughters, Lucy, and Ruby. Mary enjoys spending time with her family, playing games, walking, organizing, and bike riding.
Upon retirement, Mary, and her husband Scott, are moving to Utah to live closer to their children and grandchildren. Her parting words of wisdom is to, “Never Stop Learning.”
Thirkill Elementary and the Soda Springs School District would like to express their love and appreciation to these fabulous women for their many years of devoted service to teaching the children of the community and for their valuable friendships.
