Four teachers are retiring at LES (Lakeland Elementary School) this spring with a combined total of 115 years of teaching experience. They completed their final years of teaching during an unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19 with remote learning for students instead of the traditional classroom.
Grade-level and department staff honored the retiring teachers with parties and recognitions, according to Shelly White, LES assistant principal.
There are no teachers retiring at Lakeland Middle Preparatory School.
Beth Bagley – Kindergarten Teacher
“I have been teaching for 36 years in the public and private schools. My last 19 years have been teaching kindergarten at Lakeland Elementary. I have three older siblings. Two are retired and one is still working. I treasure my years teaching at Lakeland. I have enjoyed my students, their families, and my co-workers, who all have a special place in my heart. I will miss everyone.”
Kim Hallum – Third Grade Teacher
She is retiring after 30 years of teaching: 18 of those years at LES, 17 of those in third grade! She and her husband, Hal, will celebrate their 27th anniversary this summer. They have three children: Maggie, 22, Buddy, 19, and Drew, 11. “During retirement I look forward to playing with our two new adopted dogs and working in my yard. I will miss the kids the most.”
Lee Ann Kelly – ESL Teacher
“My teaching career began in 1990 at East High School. After transferring to Houston High and earning my ESL endorsement, I began to travel around the world (without ever leaving Memphis)! This career choice brought me so much joy and friendships that I will forever treasure. Three years ago, I was blessed that Dr. (Ted) Horrell and Mrs. (Joretha) Lockhart brought me to Lakeland Elementary, but it is time to close this chapter of my life and spend a lot of time with my family. Not only will I spend time with my husband, Jerry, and two daughters, Cailin and Maggie, I plan to visit many of my extended family members.
Bonnie Orange – Art
“I started teaching in 2001 at Kate Bond Elementary. I have been at Lakeland for the past 16 years. I have loved working with all of my students. I love seeing all of them working on art and growing over the years. Of course, it is always wonderful to see some of them continue in art, enter shows and win, which they have. I have been so blessed by the Lakeland people and their students. I will continue creating my own artwork and will have a website in the near future, so that you can see what I am up to.
Belinda Parker retired in December 2019
She taught in Shelby County Schools at E.E. Jeter Elementary in special dducation K-8th grade 14 years and then came to Lakeland Elementary in 2001 when it opened. She earned her +45 and was a Career Ladder 2 Teacher. She retired in December after 32 years. She is married to Matt Palmer and has two children, Tatum and Brody and is Nana to two soon-to-be three grandchildren. She is also a member of Highland Church of Christ and volunteers for The West Tennessee Kidney Foundation. She loves walking, traveling, reading and cheering for her Tennessee Volunteers! Since her retirement she has been able to spend more time with her mother, her family and doing all of those things she loves.
From Joretha Lockhart, LES principal:
“Congratulations to our retirees for the 2019-20 school year! All of these wonderful teachers have a combined years in education. Each of these ladies leave a special footprint in the halls of LES and on the hearts of their little lions. Their love for their students and dedication to teaching is immeasurable. Retirement Parades for each of them will be held on our campus prior to the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. This will be a time for faculty, staff, students (current and former), and parents to honor and celebrate their many years of service as educators. LES will miss each of them immensely and wish Ms. Bagley, Ms. Hallum, Ms. Kelly, and Ms. Orange the very best as they begin a new chapter in their lives. Once a Lion, Always a Lion!”
… Photos courtesy of LES
