By Allen Brewer

news@oxfordeagle.com

Oxford’s retiring teachers and staff were front and center Wednesday during a reception.

Family and friends joined the retirees in the commons area of Oxford Middle School to celebrate the many years of dedication the retiring staff had placed in Oxford school system. Brian Harvey, Oxford School District’s superintendent, gave a short speech and gave each retiring employee a plaque.

The community of Oxford was invited to take part in the reception. Former students, current Oxford teachers and fellow retired teachers where also present to support their friends and mentors.

Retirees include

• Jill Campos, Oxford Elementary School teacher, 20 years

•Mae Ruth Dixon, Oxford Elementary School teacher assistant, 25 years

•Arleen Dowd, Oxford Middle School teacher, 31 years

•Hattie Farr, Scott Center office manager, 23 years

•Bill Hamilton, Oxford School District assistant superintendent, 13 years

•Johnny Hill, Oxford School District athletic director, 22 years

•Willie Kirkwood, Oxford Intermediate School food service worker, 13 years

•Shadra Mathis, Oxford School District accounts payable clerk, 28 years

•Anna Purvis, Oxford Elementary School teacher, 27 years

•Miriam Rone, Oxford Middle School librarian, 21 and a half years

•Ktherenia Walker, Oxford Elementary School teacher assistant, 30 and a half years

•Mike Wallace, Della Davidson Elementary School teacher, 21 years

•Rutha White, Della Davidson Elementary School food service worker, 14 years

During the ceremony, Arleen Dowd, an English teacher retiring this semester, put on a red cape before making her speech. She then talked about how teachers are the modern superheroes of our society, helping to save lives and taking risks. She then persuaded all teaches to put both hands in the air and fly with her to new levels of teaching.

While some may see retiring as a time for rest, most of the retiring teachers have plans and activities for their retirement already set.

Hamilton plans to pick up on some of his old hobbies and spend more time on his land in Alabama.

Campos hopes to have more time to do more yard work, read and to enjoy being at home.

Walker plans to travel.

Dowd plans to go to Turkey to teach English in a Turkish Middle School.

White intends to tour the country with her son who works in an airport.

“Our annual retiree reception allows us to honor those who have served our children and our community,” Harvey said. “We are happy that these individuals have had a successful career within the Oxford School District.”