As the school year continues, retirement marks the beginning of a new chapter for a few teachers. While students focus on graduation, teachers experience a similar turning point when they step away from decades spent in classrooms.
For math teacher Nancy Doehring, retirement follows 32 years in education, including 10 years at Kingwood Park. Throughout her career, she has taught elementary and middle school and even coached at the college level before ending her career teaching high school mathematics.
“I think what I’ll miss the most is my daily interactions with my teacher friends, my colleagues and my students,” Doehring said.
One of the most meaningful parts of teaching for Doehring has been watching students grow academically.
“(I loved) interacting with students and seeing them learn and seeing the light bulb go on,” Doehring said.
Architecture and Construction Management teacher Melissa Taylor is also preparing for retirement after years of guiding students through hands-on projects and career pathways. Taylor earned her architecture degree and worked in the field professionally before transitioning into education through an alternative certification program in 2009.
At Kingwood Park, Taylor initiated the Tiny Homes program, where students built houses for homeless veterans. Since its inception, the program has grew greatly and has spread to other schools in the district.
“Completing our very first tiny home was very memorable, everything that went into the first year,” she said.
French and credit recovery teacher Beverly Randall is also retiring after 25 years teaching, 19 of which were at Kingwood Park. Throughout her career, Randall has taught various levels of French. One of her favorite memories is from when French Club organized a Mardi Gras celebration.
“They partnered up with the Student Council and had a school-wide celebration,” Randall said. “They decorated the commons, we made a lot of announcements, and we had a competition to see who got a slice of king cake.”
Although retirement means stepping away from early mornings and busy schedules, all teachers said they are looking forward to certain changes in their routine.
“I’m looking forward to sleeping in,” Taylor said. “And that really just means waking up at 7 a.m. instead of 4:30 in the morning.”
Randall looks forward to the extra hours in the day.
“I am going to manage my time differently,” she said, “putting a greater emphasis on my physical and mental health.”
Retirement also brings uncertainty, something Doehring said she is embracing.
“The unknown,” Doehring said. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do in retirement, whether I will sub or get a part-time job or just travel and enjoy retirement.”
Even as they prepare to leave the classroom, teachers continue to offer advice to students preparing for their own next chapter. Doehring encouraged seniors to stay open-minded and not fear setbacks.
Taylor emphasized having confidence and a positive mindset. And Randall encouraged kids to take risks.
“You can go through the doors, check them out and if you don’t like them then you can always try out new ones,” Randall said. “If one doesn’t work, that doesn’t mean that you failed, it just means that you pivot and find the next thing.”
