Wednesday, November 5, 2003

Remember that special teacher in your life on Nov. 16

The governor of Georgia has proclaimed Sunday, Nov.16, 2003 as Retired Educators Day in Georgia. More than 55,000 retired educators reside in the state of Georgia while over 300 are citizens of Fayette County. The Georgia Retired Educators Association has a membership of 14,000 while the Fayette County Retired Educators Association has a membership of 75.

Retired educators comprise a large number of the volunteer workforce for our school systems. Retired educators make invaluable contributions to the welfare of their respective communities. It is appropriate that a day be designated for citizens to express their appreciation for the contributions that retired educators have made and continue to make for the betterment of human lives and society in general.

The retired educators of Fayette County work with youth in many ways. Some substitute for the school system. Others are mentors to troubled youth. Many work with local churches to allow mothers to have a day of their own. They work in Sunday schools and in vacation Bible schools. Many are master readers. Some volunteer at story hour.

The following poem, “How We Taught,” tells the story of retired educators.

Paper, pencils, pens,

Compositions, chalk,

Crayons, sums to ten,

SHHH! They shouldn’t talk.

They sat by our side,

As we showed them true,

How to read and write,

We started with a-e-i-o-u.

They followed the path,

That twisted and turned,

Learned all their math,

Showed off grades they earned.

They grew in mind, body, ’n soul,

Making friends for keeps,

Deciding life’s role,

Knowledge gained by heaps.

Education—many types, many kinds,

Theories, facts, figures,

Worked like sponges in their minds,

Soaking up thoughts, simple and true.

We watched their growth,

And guided their way,

For their education—both,

Once learned, can’t be taken away.

— Carol Lunsford 2003

I urge all former students to take the time to remember your former educators on Nov. 16. Make a call, write a letter, send a thank-you note to that one educator that stands out the most in your memory. One of your educators helped you to become the success that you are. The influence of that person will be with you always.

I, myself, remember my first grade teacher clearly. It was through modeling some of the methods she used in teaching me to read that I was able to reach some of my students.

FCREA is a service organization in that the members volunteer time with the youth of the county. The association presents a scholarship to one graduating senior from the county who plans to enter the education profession. The next monthly meeting of FCREA will be Nov. 20 at10:30 a.m. at the Right on Thyme restaurant in Fayetteville. This meeting will also be the annual fundraising auction for the scholarship fund. All retired educators in the county are invited to attend the meeting. Bring a gift ready to be auctioned. Local businesses are also invited to donate items to be auctioned. FCREA is a member of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.

Carol Lunsford

President, FCREA 2003-2004