BY VANESSA WELCH

vanessa.welch@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Staff and administrators who are retiring from Jefferson County schools this year have provided knowledge and encouragement that has positively influenced children, both in and outside of schools.

“Teaching first grade especially and watching the children as they progress in their reading skills is what I have enjoyed most,” Ina Grade School first and second grade teacher Ann German said. “I’ve learned there are certain things you need to laugh at rather than take serious, and to have patience and a sense of humor.”

Throughout the years, Field Grade School teacher Sherry Newton also worked with students to improve their reading skills, focusing on those who had difficulties. Both Newton and Carolyn Eubanks, also of FGS, said it is important for students to gain confidence in their abilities.

“I hope that they’ve taken a new love for learning and that they’re not afraid to learn new things,” Eubanks said. “I enjoy seeing when they learn something new and their little smiles and eyes light up. I’ve just enjoyed kids in general.”

Connie Bradshaw, who attended Rome Grade School before teaching there 33 years, said she is looking forward to spending time with her first grandchild due in August, but will miss students and staff.

“It’s going to be a little strange not coming back,” Bradshaw said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching. I’ve worked with some of the best, most dedicated professionals and I’m going to miss everyone. I liked interacting with the kids. It’s always fun when you see them having fun learning.”

Before serving as superintendent at Summersville Grade School, Steve Danner said he taught at Webber High School, Woodlawn and Ashley.

“I’ve had 33 years of experiences,” Danner said and laughed. “It’s important to me that I see things grow. I’m not just talking about growth in numbers and financially but growth in emotional development and academic achievement. It’s important to see students in schools get better at what they do.”

Danner said some of the changes in education he has witnessed include students’ use of technology to learn outside of classrooms and hardships they have faced due to the economy.

Although faces change, Danner said “kids are still kids,” and that students involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes have reminded him of the importance of faith.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned from the students that I’ve worked with is to relax, chill out, don’t get too worked up over the little things,” Danner said. “The kids already have a good handle on that. Don’t sweat the little things because the big things will always be there.

“It’s been a good life in school,” Danner noted. “The students and the teachers have been good to me. I can not compliment the students and board of education enough for making my last year so enjoyable. God has richly blessed me in my life.”

FGS teacher Carolyn Marlow said although teaching can be tiring at times, the rewards are much greater.

“I think teaching — the ability to teach — starts when you actually get in the classroom itself,” Marlow said. “In a university classroom you’re in a controlled setting, and you don’t actually learn until you get in a classroom alone. You have to be very flexible and sometimes just looking in their eyes you see and learn a lot about them.

“When you see a student really concentrate and get past things holding them back, I think that’s a reward,” Marlow said. “There’s no price tag you can put on that.”

Marlow said teachers also help students learn social skills and manners, and that giving a child a smile and persevering until they have learned a new concept are important.

“We need to remember as teachers, ‘Yes, we do impact students,’” Marlow said. “Sometimes, a lot more than we think we do.”

Other county school teachers who are retiring at the close of the 2008-09 school year include:

Rusty Watson, Dodds Grade School;

Jan Danner, Opdyke Grade School;

Carol Williams, Walton-ville Grade School and High School;

Patsy Bullard, Wood-lawn High School;

Cheryl McClure and Sandy Smith, Summers-ville Grade School; and,

Paula Flanigan, Bethel Grade School (last Dec-ember).