Doctor Jim Barrett of the Georgia Department of Education’s Professional Standards Commission congratulated the honorees at the Decatur County School System’s teacher retirement Monday night at the Bainbridge High School cafeteria for planting the seeds of wisdom to an untold numbers of students through the years.

“Curriculums come and go, but teachers’ positive influences remain with their students throughout their lives,” Barrett said. “It is very rewarding when they come back to thank you and tell you how much they appreciate you for influencing them to do the right things in the classroom and in life. I have experienced that and I know that you have too.”

Calvine Rollins, past president of the Georgia Association of Educators and president of the Decatur County Association of Educators, introduced Doctor Barrett and said how proud she is of all the retirees.

Decatur County School Superintendent Doctor Fred Rayfield pointed out that the 26 retiring teachers represent 673 dedicated years of teaching students and having a positive influence on young lives.

Bainbridge High School retirees included Joan Beers, who was in the classroom 27 years, Alice W. Brock, who was in the classroom 35 years, Gail Lovering, who was in the classroom 41 years, Glenda Noe, who was in the classroom 29 years, Calvine Rollins, who was in the classroom 30 years, Bill Searcy, who was in the classroom 17 years, Eugene Singeltary, who was in the classroom 45 years, Debbie Williams, who was in the classroom 33 years, Beth Yarbrough, who was in the classroom 30 years, and Lisa Hughes, who was in the Bainbridge High School  Performance Learning Center classroom 14 years,

Bainbridge Middle School honored Donna Lennard for being in the classroom 30 years. Hutto Middle School honorees included Marjorie Brock, who was in the classroom 35 years, Shirley H. Clark, who was in the classroom 38 years, Shirley Wilkinson, who was in the classroom 24 years, Sue Sandlin, who was in the classroom 31 years, and Marsha Smith, who was in the classroom 13 years. Haidee Eubanks was honored for being in the classroom at John Johnson Elementary School for 28 years.

Elcan King Elementary School retirees who were honored Monday night included Priscilla Bailey, who was in the classroom 11 years Jerry Graham, who was in the classroom 10 years.

Retirees honored from Potter Street Elementary School were Julie Ann Warr, who was in the classroom 30 years, Linda Grubbs, who was in the classroom 11 years, and Daisy Howard, who was in the classroom 32 years.

Marsha Middleton from West Bainbridge Elementary School was honored for being in the classroom 11 years.

Retiree Catherine Ellis was honored for 40 years of service at the Decatur County Support Center, retiree Sandra Adams was honored for 16 years of service in school transportation and retiree Nellie Washington was honored for 12 years of service in school transportation.

Outstanding school employees were also honored at the banquet. They were Eddie Johnson at Bainbridge High School,  Nicole Glass at Bainbridge Middle School, Ca therine Ellison in curriculum, Larissa Severson at Elcan King Elementary School, Patty   Faircloth at Hutto Middle School, Vontae Jones at John Johnson Elementary School, Sara Thompson at Jones Wheat Elementary School, Elizabeth Payne at Potter Street Elementary School, Sherry Allen in special education, and Ruby Burke at West Bainbridge Elementary School.