Whitaker Elementary Teacher Retiring After 42 Years

Carla Humpreys with students (photo by Bruce Chapman)

 In the Wednesday, June 12 issue of the Winston-Salem Journal, reporter Arika Herron writes about teacher Carla Humphreys retiring. 

Here is an excerpt:

For the past 42 years, teaching is just about all Carla Humphreys has known.

Starting today, though, the Whitaker Elementary third-grade teacher is going to have to learn something else.
“Now that I’m getting out of school, I’ll guess I really grow up,” she joked.

Humphreys, 65, taught her last day of class Tuesday, as the district’s approximately 55,000 students ended their school year.

Humphreys said she’s learned something every day she has been a teacher, but now she’ll have to learn how not be one. After 42 years in the classroom, it may be her biggest challenge yet.

That’s saying something, considering the challenges public-school teachers have faced over the last four decades. To say things have changed since Humphreys started teaching in 1968 would be an understatement.

“I started teaching before integration,” Humphreys said.

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools created its first integrated schools in the second half of Humphreys’ second year teaching. Teachers waited for letters to see if they’d be transferred from a white to a black school, or vice versa, Humphreys said.

Humphreys stayed at her school, but watched as the all-white second grade was swapped with a second grade from an all-black school.

Humphreys has witnessed less dramatic change, as well. Fluctuations in class size and curriculum changes have been frequent. The introduction of technology into the classroom has revolutionized the way learning happens, she said.

On Tuesday, Humphreys stood in front of her active board — a high-tech, touch-screen alternative to the chalk boards she started with — and carried out her lesson, while a microphone projected her voice around the room. Humphreys said that piece of technology was one of her favorites.

“I don’t have to strain my voice,” she laughed.

Some things haven’t changed, though. First and foremost among those is Humphreys’ love for her students and passion for the work. The Reynolds High School graduate said she’s always wanted to be a teacher.

For the full story, go to Winston-Salem Journal