Retiring Blessed Sacrament teacher a 'rare gem,' principal says

Friday, Jun. 12, 2020

SANDY — Shelly Luna, who has taught at Blessed Sacrament School for the last 18 years of her 40-year teaching career, is retiring. 

For the past two years she has served as the school’s kindergarten teacher; the 16 years before that, she taught pre-K.

Luna “just loves the kids” and “is a beacon of positivity,” said Bryan Penn, principal.

“She was always willing to do everything for the benefit of the kids,” he added.

“One does not get rich as a teacher, but I have been richly blessed throughout my 18 years at Blessed Sacrament,” Shelly Luna said about her retirement.

Her plans are to spend more time with her family.

“It was a difficult decision to retire from teaching after 40 years, and with mixed emotions, but it’s time to be home with my husband, and spending more time as a nana,” she said. 

“I will always keep the Blessed Sacrament School community in my prayers,” she added.

“Teachers such as Luna are a rare gem to find, and hard to forget,” Penn said.

“Children that began school with her to this day tell her how grateful they are,” he said. “Every year Judge [Memorial Catholic High School] has their seniors write letters to teachers that were most influential to them, and every year [Luna] gets letters from these seniors. … That is one of the most telling things about how she has impacted the lives of those kids.”

Emilee Hansen, parent of a seventh-grader at Blessed Sacrament School, said she was very grateful to have had Luna as her child’s pre-K teacher.

“She was the best teacher, and we will never forget the love and lessons she showed,” Hansen said

As a parent of several of Luna’s students, Stephanie VanUitert said the teacher was a gift.  

“They got a very positive start in their learning, and they also got the skills needed to go on in school. She made all the difference in the world,” VanUitert said, adding that the years in Luna’s class were some of the most wonderful times in the lives of her children, and for her. 

“Not having her will be a cloudy day at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, but we wish her the best of the best,” VanUitert said.

Luna will be forever remembered at the school, Penn said. 

“The impact that she made it’s just amazing,” he said as he thanked Luna “for sharing your gifts, talents and love with the kids.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a retirement celebration for Luna will not be held, but the school community is putting together a memory book. To contribute, visit https://www.newlywords.com/mrs-luna-retirement.