The Pine Bluff School District and the Pine Bluff Education Association will be honoring several retiring teachers at 5:30 p.m. May 22 at Tastesetters Eatery.
• Jennifer Keahey has worked for the district 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and eight years as a preschool teacher at Forrest Park Preschool. Her motto is “Do what is right even when no one is looking.” She is a member of First Assembly of God Church and a board member of Stoneridge Property Association. Keahey has been recognized for several years as a Pathwise mentor. She is married to Bob Keahey, and has one daughter, Michelle.
• Tammy Elaine Neal is retiring with 22 years as an elementary teacher at Broadmoor Elementary and two years from another district. Her personal motto is “In all thy ways acknowledge him.” She involves herself with her church and Girl Scouts. She is a member of Arkansas Education and the National Education Association. She was married to the late Gary Neal, and has three children, Mona Hardy, Steven Neal and Tari Turner.
• Linda Callaway is retiring after 38 years with 10 years with the Pine Bluff district as Career Development coordinator and FACS Teacher, and 28 years with another district. Her motto is “Dream no small dream.” Callaway is involved with several activities including HIPPY Advisory Board, Links Advisory Board, Ridgway First Assembly of God Church, Sunday school teacher and choir member. Her honors have included being the First Black President of AR ACTE, 2009 FCCLA master advisor, Arkansas Vocational Teacher of the Year, National FCCLA and STAR Events winners. Callaway is married to Cornelious Callaway. Her sons are Darrius and Cameron Handy.
• Lillian Kathryn Ross has been an art teacher at Belair Middle School for 22 years. She belongs several organizations including the Pine Bluff Education Association, AEA and NEA. She is married to Larry Ross and has one son, Larry Wayne Duke.
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• Marie Gunti is retiring after 21 years, and two of those years as a science facilitator at Southwood and W.T. Cheney elementary schools. Previously, she served two years in another district. She is a member of the Junior League of Pine Bluff. She was married to the late David Gunti and has two children, Susan Gunti McGeorge and Ann Gunti.
• Sylvia Yvonne Blevins retires after 48 years. Blevins has worked for the Pine Bluff district 13 years, with the majority of her teaching career in another school district.
• Irma Strong will be retiring as a social studies teacher at the end of 2011-2012 school year.
• Josephine Hayes will be retiring at the end of the 2011-2012 school year after 29 years at 34th Avenue Elementary School. She is a member of her church choir and AEA. Hayes has four children. Her motto is “It’s about the children.”
Support staff are also being recognized as they retire.
• Diane M. West has served as the coordinator for special services for the Department of Health and Student Services at the district’s administrative building for 17 years, and worked at another district for 12 years.
• Linda R. Wade has worked at Greenville Elementary School’s media center as a media clerk for 12 years. Wade has received honors for RIF (Reading is Fundamental.) She is also a member of AEA. Wade has four children and four grandchildren.
• Lucille Robinson has been employed in the food service department 16 years. Her husband is James Robinson and they have four children – Felicia, Yolanda, James Jr., and Eddie.
• William G. Montgomery is retiring after 14 years as maintenance/locksmith.
Jerry O. Payne, superintendent, and the entire Pine Bluff district staff, congratulates the retiring personnel.