Retired teachers recognized for exemplary service
CHILLICOTHE— Two local retired teachers were recognized by the Chillicothe Board of Education during a recent meeting. The teachers, Bonnie Grove and Retha Jones, were honored through the Educator Emeritus Awards Program which has been recognizing exemplary teachers since 1975.
To be selected retired teachers must have spent at least 20 years in the district, be a member of the Chillicothe Educational association, been retired for at least five years and made an impact on the lives of the students they had.
Brenda Southworth, Instructional Specialist at Chillicothe City Schools awarded the women their plaques as friends, family, and former winners gathered to celebrate this accomplishment.
Retha Jones started working for the district in 1995 starting as an English teacher then moving to the librarian position that she would retire from in 2015. While introducing her Southworth mentioned the impact Jones had and continues to have in the community.
"She has a way of making others feel special," said Southworth.
Jones said that receiving this award was "quite an honor." During her time at different schools she had the opportunity to travel around the country to learn different teaching methods. Looking back she said her experience teaching was wonderful and filled with many happy memories. One she recalls is always telling her students that life is a book and they were the author.
Bonnie Grove started working for the district in 1981 teaching at several different schools till retiring in 2011. Southworth recalls Grove bringing her Bulldog into school and inspiring students to learn through songs.
"Bonnie had such a fantastic way of connecting with our young students," said Southworth.
Grove said she was speechless when she received the call telling her she was being recognized as she feels she didn't do anything different than the other people she worked with. She credits these coworkers for helping create amazing students who have gone on to accomplish their goals. She said being in the classroom was the greatest experience of her life as she loved meeting all the parents and students.
Looking back Grove highlights how important a good teacher is to a student. She said a teacher never forgets the students and the students don't forget the teachers that helped them along the way.
Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Retired teachers recognized for exemplary service
