Throughout the Aiken County School District earlier this month, schools said goodbye to retiring educators, often with tears.
Oakwood-Windsor was especially hard hit, with 10 faculty members departing - most of them working retirees leaving involuntarily as the district responds to budget deficits.
At a brief ceremony on the final day children were in school, three retirees were presented with gifts that will keep on giving for years to come.
The hallway where Ken Bailey has taught fifth grade since 1975 will be called "Bailey Hall," complete with a sign and a plaque.
A plaque also will be placed by the guidance office in honor of counselor Sissy Henry, who retired after 21 years at the school. The office will be named "Sissy's Safe Haven Room."
Every day for the past decade, assistant principal Dr. Jerry Lynn met kids as they got off school buses. A plaque at that location will recognize his contributions to the school.
Teacher Gordon Gaskill said Bailey wore out many pairs of shoes and traveled roughly 1,008 miles up and down the halls at Oakwood-Windsor during his long career. Generations of students traveled the hallways with him.
"You have made a difference in their lives and in our lives, building character, patriotism and citizenship in our students," Gaskill told Bailey.
Bailey cited all the children he has taught, along with wonderful friends he has made at school and in the community.
"It's been quite a ride," he said. "It's a bittersweet time, as I love this school and the people who work here. It's pretty special when kids grow up and remember you. I hope to stay connected here, perhaps by substituting and doing some after-school tutoring."
Teacher Christine Raines praised Henry as a educator and friend with a "kind and gentle soul" who helped children, parents and teachers in happy and sad times. The renamed guidance center will include the message, "A room for love and sharing, for love and caring."
Unlike Lynn and Bailey, Henry had planned to retire this year. She was emotional about departing from what she calls her home away from home, and, with the knowledge that her husband Don is headed to Afghanistan for his second overseas deployment in 2010, Henry plans to spend time with him and relax over the next year.
"It's been a wonderful job and career," she said. "There were kids who came in with a lot of issues, and to have them come back to thank me was really special."
Oakwood-Windsor also holds a warm place in Lynn's heart.
"The students and the faculty and staff are absolutely great," he said. "It's a real community school. It's the day-to-day interaction with people I enjoy being with and the professionalism here. It's a true working family that I'm going to miss."
Teacher Thelma Thompson cited Lynn's easy-going demeanor that the children responded to so favorably.
"He has such a grace about him," Thompson said. "He never said a bad word about anybody. He's a fantastic person that the education system was blessed to have."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
0