Educators, friends and family gathered Monday afternoon at Winnfield Middle School to celebrate careers spanning 274 years of what Supt. Al Simmons termed “the entire spectrum of education” at the annual Employee Retirement reception.
Simmons noted that in a work environment today when employees generally work through several different jobs during their lifetimes, it’s rewarding to see those in education who have stayed the course for 20, 30 or 40 years, many here in Winn’s district.
Calvin High School Principal Justin Tinsley praised the 33 years that Tammy Martin invested in the safety, nurturing and career-building of young students at the school in which she gave them the opportunity to grow. With degrees from NSU and La Tech, she not only taught but led the 4-H Junior Club for 25 years. In all, she taught under six different principals.
Dodson High School Principal Wendy Miller regretted that Pamela Cheek was unable to attend the event. She retired in August after 30 years of service. Hers was a “heart of gold,” said Miller, always punctual, having missed only one day last year. “She was there for the kids and everyone who needed her.”
Winnfield Primary School Principal James King said Dana Grant loves children and family. She retired with 36 years in teaching, with 22 here after beginning her career in Caldwell Parish. Hers was a real passion that King described as “100-to-nothing to ensure that Winnfield Primary and its students are where they should be.”
King also boasted on Margaret Reed who worked 33 years as an educator in special education, starting in Bossier but mostly here. She carried her passion to summer where she worked 10 years with Special Olympics, 10 years as coordinator. “She was always early, arriving at 5:45 every morning. She let in the Orkin man.”
Winn Middle School Principal Brian Savell described Lyn Bankston as professional, a man who takes care of business. He had two careers, coming into education 15 years ago. “Since he decided to get his teaching certificate, it has been great for our students. When Coach Bankston talks, people listen. He has touched student lives.”
Savell said Anna Martin was unable to attend Monday but that in her 27 years of service, “she wore many hats. She will be missed.”
Aaron Durbin spoke for the faithfulness of school bus drive Trena Short who, stationed out of the Winnfield Middle School pool, “always took care of arrangements whenever she couldn’t come in.” She safely brought children to and from school for 15 years.
Winnfield Senior High School Principal Chase Bartlett called Monday a “remarkable milestone” for Margie Joe who was “more than a custodian but a friendly face that brightened the hallways, ensuring that our environment was both clean and welcoming. She touched lives with a word of encouragement, a smile, a sense of community.”
For the Central Office, Simmons explained that Jeannie Byon was always upbeat at work, no matter what may have been going on around her. With nearly 30 years in education, she began as a paraprofessional at Atlanta High School, she moved into Special Education then into the Federal Program at the Central Office, always “encouraging people to be the best they can be for the Lord.”
Simmons said that Anita Edwards, with a 30-year career as a speech and language pathologist, was unchangingly pleasant and cheerful. “She gave her attention to the children who need it, always willing to work, always happy about what she did.”