Pictured, l to r, Dan LeJeune, Lori Holt, JJ Kahle (back row), Jackie Quinn, Lori Thoraldson and Maelene Krig
With the close of the 2025-26 school year, six Blake employees celebrated their retirement. These individuals represent a combined 144 years of service at Blake. Each retiree has contributed so much to the Blake community, and their work will live on through the students, parents and colleagues they have taught, supported and inspired.
The following are highlights from notes Blake community members shared with this year's faculty retirees.
Lori Holt, Lower School administrative assistant (7 years)
“Special congratulations to Lori H! Missing our lunches together back in the day. Enjoy the new chapter of life!” —former colleague
“Lori, thank you for being a wonderful part of the Blake community! Wishing you a happy retirement!” —current parent
JJ Kahle, Upper School Spanish and LGBTQ+ support & advocacy (28 years)
“JJ Kahle represents the very best of what Blake has to offer its students. As a Spanish teacher, she honed my skills to fluency as a junior and made sure we learned about culture and history as much as grammar. As a Cuernavaca chaperone, she was our safety net and piece of home who also gave us the freedom to learn, grow and thrive on an epic summer adventure. But most importantly, JJ worked tirelessly to improve the culture of inclusivity at Blake—and succeeded. From the GSA, Justice League, leading the Day of Silence, and all she did to support individual students, I speak from experience in saying that JJ was one of my safe places at Blake, and I wouldn’t have made it through without her. I know many students who would say the same. It has been a privilege to learn from JJ and to stay in touch as I’ve become an adult. JJ’s impact on Blake cannot be overstated, and her presence will be missed deeply on campus.” —alumna, class of 2011
“It's hard to imagine this place without you. You have been such a source of wisdom and inspiration for all of us and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked alongside you these past three years … We will also miss the traditions you have built and sustained like the ofrenda para el Día de Muertos, and the genuine care you show to both students and colleagues. You have created something very meaningful that will continue long after your retirement.” —colleague
“Thank you so much for creating such a welcoming and supportive environment for queer students like myself. I appreciated it more than you know. Enjoy retirement!” alumna, class of 2024
"Profe Kahle had a tremendous impact not just on my time at Blake but in my life. She encouraged my activism and provided a vital, inclusive, safe space through the GSA and other clubs and opportunities. She was always paying attention and remembered the details of mine and other students' lives and interests … I now work in ethics in the aerospace industry and work on building more respectful, diverse, inclusive and kind workplaces. I thought of Profe Kahle when I taught a workplace course on navigating employee gender transitions at work. I see a clear throughline now from my days at Blake advocating for others and building intentional community to the work I do now both personally and professionally. I'm very grateful for all she's done for me and for the lasting impact she's had on the Blake community.” —alumna, class of 2009
“JJ, I've always felt such a warmth from you. You've been so supportive of me throughout so many different seasons of my life, and it is because of you that I've been able to use music as a means to decompress. From leaving your classroom unlocked so I could practice on your guitar, to sharing your son's music with me, you've left such a special imprint in my life. You've created such a safe space for so many of us over the years, and I look forward to hearing more about the space you will carve for yourself as you move into this new chapter of your life.” alumna, class of 2020
Maelene Krig, Middle School science teacher and information services (35 years)
“Maelene, I will miss you in the Middle School! You were always my go-to person if I had a technology question. I loved going to you first because you never made me feel silly about not knowing how to do something! And you were so good at explaining all of the steps to get things done. I really appreciate your patience and open door. You will be missed by faculty and students and you have extremely big shoes to fill. I hope you enjoy this next chapter of your life. Cheers to you, Maelene, and congrats on all of the lives you have touched!” —colleague
“Ms. Krig! Congratulations on retirement! I'm merely writing this note to bring you a little joy … I was not [an A student in science] however, fear not, I did end up getting my master’s in nursing at the University of Minnesota, married a doctor and am immersed in more science than I ever thought I would be—so thank you for laying a foundation that got me through. Cheers to the next season of your life and whatever it may hold!” —alumna, class of 2007
“Best wishes to Maelene Krig! Your methodology taught me accountability at a young age and pushed me to apply principles throughout high school and college and into my career. I couldn’t see it at the time, but eighth grade science was foundational and probably just what I needed.” —alumnus, class of 2003
“Every time I bring a [prospective family] tour through the Middle School makerspace, you take time to talk to families, and I'm always so impressed with the steady care that you bring to everything you do. Wishing you a wonderful retirement!” —current parent
Dan LeJeune, Middle School choral music teacher (27 years)
“Dan LeJune has brought such joy to the classroom this year and we will never forget his passion and enthusiasm for his art form and his students. Dan will be deeply missed but we cherish many joy-filled memories and wish him a very happy retirement!” —current family
“Dan LeJeune had a life-changing impact on our oldest daughter. His encouragement and good humor paired with high expectations and exacting standards unlocked a lifelong love of singing and choral music for her. Not only did she continue her singing career throughout Blake, she went on to sing in the choir, musical theatre, and two a capella groups in college. Even post-grad, she has continued to sing with an a capella group in Atlanta. Mr. LeJeune's rare passion for teaching middle school and their changing voices has been a tremendous asset to Blake. I feel so fortunate that our family got to benefit from his teaching and leadership, and we wish him the very best in his retirement.” —former parent
“Dear LJ, What a gift you are! It was such an honor to have you as my teacher but then to also have you teach my son all of these years later. As a new sixth grader last year, you made him feel safe, welcome and seen. He often came home saying that he had spent his X block period in your room for no other reason than that was where he wanted to be. I can't tell you how much that warmed my heart. Your ability to connect with your students is truly unmatched. Sitting in the seats at your choir concerts, you can see the admiration and respect they all have for you. It is so clearly written on each of your students' faces. You effortlessly offer all of your students respect with such a warm, calm and encouraging demeanor that it is of no surprise they all so willingly offer it right back. You were meant to teach children and you have successfully impacted countless lives. Please know you will be so very missed by students and parents alike. As far as I'm concerned, there will never be another LJ. We wish you all the success and happiness in whatever your next endeavor may be.” —current parent and alumna, class of 2006
“LJ: Thank you for everything. You taught me how to be comfortable with my own voice and showed me what it meant to persevere when times got tough. I always looked forward to your choir concerts because the passion you brought to the stage was unmatched and will certainly be missed in the Middle School next year.” —alumnus, class of 2025
“Mr. LeJeune was such a formative teacher for me as a singer. He believed in our voices and potential as middle schoolers and pushed me to realize that potential by encouraging me to apply for OAKE and ACDA choirs, honing my skills in Chamber Singers and being honest about where I was holding myself back. I’m now in my mid-30s and still singing in high-level choirs as an adult, largely thanks to his support in my earlier years of music education. And I can still sing an A out of thin air. Thanks Mr. LeJeune, you are one of the teachers who has had the biggest impact on my life!” —alumna, class of 2008
Jackie Quinn, Upper Elementary art teacher (21 years)
“Jackie, you were one of the best teachers I ever had. Even though I wasn’t very good at art, you inspired me to keep trying and create pieces I was proud of. Long after I left Highcroft, I still appreciated visiting you and checking in. Your smile and welcoming presence truly made the Lower School a more welcoming place, and it won’t be the same without you next year.” —alumnus, class of 2025
“Ms. Quinn, you had such a large impact on my Lower School career. You were always a teacher I was so comfortable coming to and made school truly so beyond fun. I wanted to say thank you for being such an amazing kind teacher who always stood out in such a positive light to everyone in our community … I hope this next chapter in life is so amazing for you. I am wishing you the best on your retirement.” —alumna, class of 2020
“Jackie Quinn was an incredible teacher to me and helped foster my love of art. She was so encouraging to me and made such a big impact on me. She is such a sweet person, and I am so grateful that I got to be taught by her. I still remember her choosing to use a piece of my art as an example when I was in fifth grade and being so proud that she liked it that much. Wishing her all the best in retirement!” —alumnus, class of 2022
“From Highcroft to Hopkins, we've loved your teaching and your style and your easy way of being. You bring light and flair to everything you do. Congratulations on your next phase!”
—current family
"Dear Jackie, You have made such an incredible impact on [our daughter’s] life. From the first day we met you to the Art Fairies Reunion, you have been a consistently positive influence on her self-confidence and well-being. You make her heart happy! We will miss you so much (and I will miss waving to you in the carpool pickup line every day!)” —current parents
“Hi Mrs. Quinn! Congratulations on your retirement! Your art classes are some of my favorite memories when I look back on my time at Highcroft. Thank you for your kindness, creativity, and always positive and comforting presence. I hope you have a relaxing retirement & sending love to you and your family.” —alumna, class of 2020
Lori Thoraldson, second grade teacher (26 years)
"Lori, [my daughter] loved having you as a second grade teacher. You were so kind and loving. You brought such a sweet touch to the whole classroom. I especially loved the notebook you had where [my daughter] and I wrote back and forth to each other. I know it will be a keepsake! Wishing you a lovely retirement. You will be missed!” —current parent
“We still look back fondly on [our son’s] year with you as a second grader at Highcroft. You always seemed to truly see him—his spirit and the potential underneath it all. That meant more to us than you know. Now he's a freshman in high school, and we carry the memory of teachers like you with us. Wishing you the most wonderful, well-deserved retirement.” —current family
“Dear Ms. Thoraldson, You are the best! You make me feel comfortable and help me focus. You are always there when friends have a problem. You are VERY fun—my favorite memory was when you and the other teachers all dressed up as kids! I hope you get to travel a lot when you are retired, and that you get to have a lot of fun. I hope you spend time with people you care about. I will miss you—A LOT!” —current student, class of 2036
“Hi Ms. T! You were and are a teacher I always think of when looking back at my educational career. You made learning so fun. You stood out in such a positive light. You always made your students feel so cared for and appreciated in the classroom. My best friend in Lower School and I are still best friends, and we still bring up your name so often talking about how much we truly loved you and your classroom. Your classroom was always a place for me where I felt safe learning and being comfortable making mistakes along the way. Wishing you the best on your retirement!” —alumna, class of 2020
“Hi Ms. Thoraldson. I wanted to thank you for a great first year at Blake. I remember when I first transferred I felt really lost, but you were a great teacher and helped me settle in and find my place. I am really thankful for all your help in second grade, and I have many fond memories of our time together. I recall that I thought it was a crazy coincidence that we shared a birthday. Thanks again for being a great teacher and I hope you enjoy retirement!” —current student, class of 2028
"Lori, thank you for being the first friendly face [my son] met when he transferred to Blake in second grade. You made second grade so fun, full of curiosity and love! Your ripples will continue through all of the children you have helped grow. Thank you for being such an amazing teacher!” —current parent