Aspen Elementary School principal retires with honor

Aspen Elementary School Principal Doreen Goldyn has mixed emotions as she enters the final days of her near three-decade tenure in the Aspen School District.

On one hand, she is excited to have more time to spend with her family — her son and daughter, along with her two grandchildren, with a third on the way, expected July 1.

On the other hand, Goldyn’s eyes fill with tears at the thought of missing the family and children with whom she spends her days.

“They are my family,” said Goldyn, who will retire from her role at the school at the end of the academic year.

“When you go through births, divorces, weddings, that’s what happens.”

It also is what happens when one exudes the level of passion and care that Goldyn demonstrated throughout the halls of Aspen Elementary School each and every day.

“Doreen gives her heart and her soul to her job,” said Aspen Elementary School Vice Principal Betsy Ann Anastas, who led the school with Goldyn for 10 years.

“There were so many times when it would be hard or frustrating, and she always says how she loves her job,” said Anastas. “She loves truly loved being in the school, working with the kids and supporting them.”

Goldyn joined the Aspen School District at the elementary school in 1991 — the first year its current building existed.

The Pennsylvania native served as a counselor during her first nine years at the elementary school until she became the vice principal in 2000.

After four years, Goldyn was prompted to the principal role, for which she has dedicated the past 12 years of her career.

“Her classroom experience and counseling and psychology backgrounds uniquely qualified Doreen for the principalship,” Aspen School District Superintendent John Maloy said. “In Doreen’s 12 years as principal of Aspen Elementary School, she has demonstrated a commitment to the success of the school and gained the school community’s trust through her dedication to children and leadership of staff.”

What Goldyn says what she will miss most about her role at Aspen Elementary are the relationships she has formed throughout her 26-year career.

“I have watched people grow up and come back here and teach,” Goldyn said. “That is such a tribute, that people come back to this community.”

Goldyn’s colleagues, including Maloy, Anastas and Aspen Elementary School secretary Dinah Bejarano, describe working alongside Goldyn as an honor.

“It has been an honor and pleasure working with her,” Bejarano said. “I will miss her because she is now part of my family.”

erobbie@aspentimes.com