Rapides school employees embark on new life phase - retirement

Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
·2 min read

Just like the students in Rapides Parish, some Rapides Parish School employees have embarked on a new phase in their lives. Retirement.

“As one who has left the classroom, I know how it feels," said Gloria Hearn, president of the Rapides Retired Teachers Association, at the Rapides Retirees Reception. "If you’re honest with yourself, there was an empty spot in your heart when you went away for the last time.”

The Rapides Retired Teachers Association, the Cenla Retired Teachers Association and the Rapides Parish School Board Human Resources department held the reception where new retirees were presented with certificates.

Superintendent Jeff Powell said this was the first time he has looked out over a retirement reception and noted there were people who helped him in his career such, as retired Marine Corps Col. Joseph Martin Jr., Robin Wood, Bill Higgins and Raymond Boswell.

“It’s just been such a blessing to be able to serve alongside so many of you, and I’m thankful that you chose to follow the calling that God placed on your heart in working in education,” Powell said.

Rapides Parish School bus driver Vivian Weaver (right), retired Tuesday after a 20-plus career with the school system. With her at at a reception for new Rapides Parish School Board retirees is her daughter Kristie Weaver. The Rapides Retired Teachers Association along with the Cenla Retired Teachers Association along with the Rapides Parish School Board Human Resources department held the reception where new retirees were presented with certificates.

“I had a very, very lucrative career at Alexandria Senior High School teaching a bunch of young kids how to be leaders," Martin said. "And let me tell you something, we have certainly impacted a bunch of kids.”

He became the ROTC instructor in 2008 after a 28-year career as a Marine. Now he’s officially retired as an educator.

“I’m so thankful for the people that have dedicated their lives to helping other people’s children,” Powell said. “Whether you’re a school bus operator or a school food service manager, or you work in any capacity in the school system, you’ve dedicated your lives.”

Powell said retirement was just a new beginning for the next phase in their lives.

“What does God want us to do for the rest of our lives, the rest of our days, as we continue to make an impact on this Earth?” he said.

For school bus driver Vivian Weaver, who retired after 20-plus years, the answer is helping her sister Helen Hudson with community causes. Her sister worked in the media center at the Rapdies Parish School Board Office and was a school secretary at Acadian Elementary School.

But she also plans to enjoy her retirement working in her yard.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Rapides school employees embark on new life phase - retirement