Last week, my district honored our retirees. As I listened to each of their accomplishments and accolades, I couldn’t help but worry about the loss of so many years of experience, wisdom, and knowledge. As the program went on, I heard over and over again about the impact these educators made on their students, students’ families, and colleagues.
Among the retirees was a primary grade teacher who had mentored many of the primary teachers across our district. She is a Teacher of the Year winner and known to all at her school as the person who would help you through anything.
There was a bus driver (actually he was both my kids’ bus driver) who for over a decade was the first person I waved to each day and who always made sure he waited for just a second extra to see if a kid ran out late. He was known district-wide as the bus driver everyone wanted. He was such a positive force in so many students’ lives.
A staff member who went above and beyond supporting students in an after-school STEM program was up on that stage. Her knowledge of robotics and her ability to work with the community and children is unparalleled.
There was a teacher who has taught around the world and has a vast knowledge of AP and IB programs. He brought so much perspective to our rural students.
One of our most veteran special educators retired. She was a graduate from our high school, raised her children through our schools, and has provided behavioral support to so many students.
Another teacher on that stage started the retirement process last year but came back when we could not find a teacher to fill a position at her school.
We are lucky enough that a few on that stage are retiring, but coming back to serve the district under the post-retirement employment option. These retirees included a phenomenal principal, an interventionist who has led at her school in so many ways, a teacher whose passion is serving our EL students, and a teacher who serves gifted students.
As I watched, I could not feel more proud to be an educator. I knew this was why I became a teacher. But I also watched in sadness. What are we doing as a state to make it possible for educators to serve the profession longer? What are we doing to reward our veteran teachers? They do so much more than teach. They mentor, lead committees, support novice principals, and provide wisdom through experience.
Arizona must find ways to not only recruit new educators into the profession, but they also must make it so that veteran staff extend their stay. Thank you to all educators who served this year and are now retiring. I hope we as a state have a plan to replicate all that you have achieved.
Jaime Festa-Daigle
My name is Jaime Festa-Daigle and I was born here in Arizona. I work as the Director of Personnel and Technology at Lake Havasu Unified School District. I’ve taught everything from ELL to 8th grade English to student council to college level government and economics. I was recognized as the American Civic Educator of the Year in 2012. I am fully focused on ensuring rural students have equal access to educational opportunities as their metropolitan counterparts. My current passion is the development of mentor and induction programs for novice school leaders in rural communities. I am an NBCT, Arizona Master Teacher, and an Arizona Rural Schools Association board member. During the small moments where I am not focused on how to make Lake Havasu Unified School District the best district in AZ, I am usually nerding out on politics, fretting about my children and pugs, or working up a sweat at Cross Fit.
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Thank you for writing this piece. We have three teachers retiring this year and they will be truly missed. The students online have missed any campus level closure possible, so we are mindful of this as we plan for their return to campus next school year.