At the end of the 2024-2025 academic school year, six faculty members at Pascack Hills are retiring.
As we look forward to welcoming new students and faculty next year, we are also preparing to say goodbye to several dedicated teachers and supporting staff who have made a mark on our school.
Before the community bids farewell, each departing faculty member was interviewed to reflect on their time at Hills, share favorite memories, and offer thoughts on retirement.
Barry Bachenheimer
After a remarkable 33 year career in education, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Dr. Barry Bachenheimer is closing his chapter at Hills with 14 years spent in the Pascack Valley Regional School District. Prior to his role as Director, he was also an Assistant Superintendent and School Safety Specialist.
“I am ready to close this chapter and move on to the next one,” Dr. Bachenheimer said.
“I have many interests beyond education, including teaching on the college level, emergency medical services, technology, and emergency management, and I hope to be able to do some things in those areas,” said Dr. Bachenheimer.
Dr. Bachenheimer has made a substantial impact on the Hills community and carries the memories and milestones he has made during his career. Memorable accomplishments include launching New Jersey’s first virtual snow day in 2014, expanding AP and dual enrollment options for all students, pioneering safety training processes–allowing the Pascack Valley Regional School District to be the only district to do so in the last decade, ultimately saving four students lives—and helping establish a nationally recognized model of tech integration.
When asked about his final thoughts, Dr. Bachenheimer said, “When I came to Pascack, I was told repeatedly that this is a special place, and after 14 years, they were absolutely right. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside incredible administrators, supervisors, and educators to continue the work that…puts student learning first while caring deeply about every individual who works and learns here. I’m going to miss this place and the people in it.”
Charleen “CSchwa” Schwartzman
Math teacher Charleen Schwartzman has been educating students for 29 years, including 21 years at Hills, where she taught at all levels and math disciplines. To many, “CSchwa” will always be remembered for the joy and energy she brought to school.
Responding to a question about her departure from Hills, CSchwa described her next chapter as a launch into a career that is different, yet rooted in the same passion.
“I’m embarking on life and health coaching that I’ve been doing for the past two and a half years, and I love it. It’s a different form of teaching. I want to bring out the best and help people, you know, live their best lives.”
When asked about her reflections and memories over her time at Hills, CSchwa emphasized the fact that Hills is her family and that above everything, community is important.
“To me, it’s all about the relationships and connections I have…I’ve been blessed to work in this district and connect with everybody from the administration to the support staff, secretaries, and custodians. I just think about all the people who I’ve crossed paths with over the past years, and how I’ve become a better version of myself because of it,” she remarked.
“I have gone through, in the last three and a half years, the hardest years of my life, and I would not have been able to have gotten through it had I not had so much love and support around me,” CSchwa continued.
In the last two years, CSchwa also became the Girls Golf Coach, leading the team to 3rd place in the 2025 State Sectionals and to States in their first year competing. She was also the assistant principal at Hills during the pandemic.
“Teaching. I don’t consider it a career for me. I consider it a calling. It’s been a calling because it’s so fulfilling,” she reflected.
Kevin Killian
Math teacher Kevin Killian is also ready to say goodbye to Pascack Hills after completing his 22nd year.
“I have three grandchildren, and by November, I’ll have a fourth…I just want to spend more time with my family, and I want to travel more with my wife…I’ve had summers to travel all this time, but I want to start seeing what the world looks like other than in the summer,”
Unlike most teachers, Killian followed a unique path into teaching.
Killian began as an aerospace engineer, where his work entailed creating guidance systems for satellites to ensure that they point in the direction of where they’re supposed to.
“Every once in a while, there’d be something new that the company wanted all the engineers to know…I always enjoyed volunteering to be one of the teachers of those new skills for the engineers.”
From that experience, and in combination with coaching his kids in town leagues and various sports, Killian learned that teaching was a passion of his. Over his entire career, Killian has taught all four grades across various math subjects such as Geometry, Algebra I and II, Precalculus, Computer Science, Statistics, and Discrete Math. He is also the Robotics Coach.
When asked about the best part of being a teacher, Killian discussed, “It’s the satisfaction of knowing that you made a difference and seeing the results right in front of you. The letters you have from students after they’ve graduated go a long way because they’re still remembering you a year or two later…That you had an impact on them.”
Owen Haveron
Social Studies teacher Owen Haveron is retiring after being part of the Hills community for 25 years, including 4 years as the school’s Athletic Director.
While he hasn’t officially decided on his next steps, Haveron hopes to continue working for the next few years.
“I feel that it’s time to try something else,” he commented. “I still love teaching, and I told myself that I never wanted to stay too long in the classroom. I instead leave the classroom too soon or too late.”
Like many others, Haveron has appreciated the strong sense of community at Hills.
“I don’t know if I have a “favorite” memory, but I have loved my time here at Hills,” he shared. “I’ve had amazing colleagues and students the entire time. Those are the things I will miss the most.”
Lilian Murray
Secretary Lilian Murray has decided to retire after almost 26 years of service to Hills. A familiar face in the general office at school, Murray has worked as both a secretary and attendance officer.
Looking ahead to retirement, Murray is anticipating traveling and new adventures.
“In the fall, my husband and I plan on driving cross country going north from New Jersey, then west toward the west coast, and taking the southern route back to the east coast. We are looking forward to seeing as much of the U.S. as possible,” she remarked.
“I feel that I have truly enjoyed my position here at Pascack Hills. The students have a special place in my heart,” said Murray as she reflected on her time.
Karoline Scheck
Library Assistant Karoline Scheck has dedicated her time and knowledge to the Hills community for 18 years. She is also the co-advisor of the Interact Club and Book Club, and the Chess Club advisor at Hills.
As she reflected on retiring, Scheck described it as “that time in life” and shared her excitement for the next chapter–one that includes exploring the world with her husband and visiting her daughter in Oregon.
“I just want to let things unfold and see where I go, see where life takes me, and see what happens,” she explained.
Starting as a teacher’s assistant in 2007, Scheck later transitioned to assisting in the library in 2020. While Scheck discussed that this was a difficult decision, the library combined her love of books and sharing literature with still maintaining interactions with students.
“It allows me to bring my passions front and center. It’s my happy place,” Scheck said.
Reflecting on the best and most challenging aspects of being a library assistant, Scheck explained that it is connecting students with the right books.
“Every once in a while, I’ll get a student who will say that they don’t enjoy reading, and I totally respect that. My experience with books has been wonderful. So when I dig a little bit deeper, and get to know the students to connect them with the reading material they’ll enjoy, it’s really rewarding. I love that part of my job.”
In her final thoughts, Scheck concluded, “It’s a real community here at Hills. We take care of each other, and we support one another. When it comes to the important things, we come together, and that’s the most special part.”
We asked each of the retirees for one piece of advice for their respective professions:
- “Take what you do seriously, but never take yourself seriously. Think big. Consider the impacts of a decision on all stakeholders. And when in doubt, quote the movie “The Princess Bride.” – Dr. Barry Bachenheimer
- “Always be open…Never be so proud that you feel like you can’t learn more, that you can’t do things better or things differently. And…try to learn from each other, feel the community within your school.” – Kevin Killian
- “Be open. Know that you’re going to screw up sometimes. [Teaching] is going to be hard work, but the payoffs are unbelievable because the relationships you have stay with you for the rest of your life.” – Charleen Schwartzman
- “Listen to your patrons. Talk to them, get to know them…Because once you connect with them, you’ll be able to help connect them with the books.” – Karoline Scheck
A sentiment shared by all faculty retiring, retirement is not the end of their road but the beginning of a new adventure. We wish them all the best!
