Susan Retired?

She did it! Last month Susan announced her retirement after 34 years in public education. Most of her varied career was with the Gwinnett County Public Schools where she served as a gifted teacher, assistant principal, principal, and finally the Executive Director for Special Education and Psychological Services. As a rookie right out of college, Susan taught 5th and 6th grades for two years in Milledgeville, Georgia and spent 10 years teaching elementary classes at Woody Gap (k-12) school in Suches, Georgia, which at the time was the smallest school system in Georgia. From there she made the leap to Gwinnett, the largest school district in Georgia.

Yesterday the school system hosted her retirement celebration. It was attended by hundreds of her past and present colleagues, as well as her mother, Claud, and Naomi, Leo and myself. I wish everyone could have attended since it was so well organized by her current staff. They created an excellent slideshow presentation depicting her life in education.

Hors d'oeuvres were provided by the culinary arts students from Mill Creek High School and an ensemble from Parkview High School provided classical music for the event.

Susan was properly roasted by numerous individuals who all, after a bit of good humor, returned to the common theme that Susan always insisted upon - that everything must be done for the good of the child. Naomi, who took the day off work from teaching and Leo, who flew in from California, both gave inspiring speeches.

Later that evening we had a small family dinner in Athens.

Susan is not quite retired yet so this morning, after a short night of sleep, she had to bounce out of bed and head into work. March 31st is her last day with Gwinnett and the question arises, "How long with she stay retired?" We shall see, we shall see.