School's out for … ever

Summer vacation will last a lot longer for 40 of ECISD's retirees. And this lifelong summer vacation for Ireland Elementary kindergarten teacher Beverly Hager was made all the more sweeter after she won the Elementary Teacher of the Year Award, which she said, "made (retirement) really special."

Hager caps off her teaching career after 43 years of service, having taught sixth grade and kindergarten, and having been the first woman principal of summer school, serving at Hays Elementary and Milam Elementary.

"I decided that this was such a marvelous class, it'd be a good time to leave," she said.

With her newfound free time, she intends to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

"I want to go and build houses - it's been one of my dreams," she said. "I'm also going to do a lot of traveling to see my grandchildren, (I've been going every weekend anyway, so that takes care of itself.) My husband hasn't been to the Grand Canyon, so we're going to take the grandchildren there this summer."

Denita Viera, mother of Kierra Viera, one of Hager's students, said Hager is very patient and makes sure her students learn.

"My daughter learns a lot from Mrs. Hager," she said. "She's learned her colors and numbers and letters, and she tells me ‘Mom, Mrs. Hager said she loves me.' "

"She's a great teacher," she added. "We'll miss her and want to thank her for us not having to worry about our kids."

WHO'S RETIRING

Secondary Retirees

>> David Davis, Head Teacher/Assistant TEC Director.

>> Mary Holloway, Physical Education.

>> Janice Hyatt, Family Consumer Science.

>> Gary Merrell, Vocational Drafting.

>> Paula Merrell, AP/GT Calculus.

>> Diana Olson, AP/GT Art & Art History.

>> Karim Patni, Earth Science.

>> Timothy Qualls, Diesel Mechanics.

>> Roy Phemister, Horticulture (CVAE).

>> William Skaggs, Science/IPC.

>> Paul Zeneger, Computer Education.

Administrative and Support Retirees

>> Kathryn Frentress, IT Program Coordinator.

>> Irene Granado, Assistant Support.

>> Robert Greer, Campus Police.

>> Margaret Kerley, Assistant Principal.

>> Vicki Leach, Health Education Specialist.

>> Laura McKnight, Payroll Supervisor.

>> Kenney Ross, Counselor.

>> Adela Vasquez, Guidance Counselor Director.

Elementary Retirees

>> Christine Beal, Pre-K.

>> Kathy Brown, Third Grade.

>> Paul Burnett, Physical Education.

>> Cheryl Ferguson, Librarian.

>> Rebecca Gomez, Kindergarten.

>> Olean Gonzales, Instructor Curriculum Coach.

>> Beverly Hager, Kindergarten.

>> Susan Leathers, Third grade.

>> Donna Lind, Fifth grade.

>> Sarah Mazur, Sixth grade.

>> Sharon Meister, Instructor Curriculum Coach.

>> Mary Montoya, Kindergarten.

>> Jerry Myers, Sixth grade.

>> Karen Phillips, Third grade.

>> Sharla Putnam, Second grade.

>> Marjorie Quesenberry, Sixth grade.

>> Romelia Rayos, Third grade.

>> Javier Ruiz, Fourth grade.

>> Sarah Ruiz, Fourth grade.

>> Joyce Spivey, Third grade.

>> Sheila Thompson, Fifth grade.

>> Abel Torres, Sixth grade.