By Tyra Jackson

The Selma Times-Journal

A Valley Grande Elementary School teacher has decided to turn in her rulers and chalk after 42 years.

Mary Giles will officially retire from Valley Grande Elementary School on Feb. 28, after teaching at the same school for more than four decades.

The faculty and staff at Valley Grande Elementary are what kept Giles in her classroom for so long. She said the school is full of great people who put the interests of the children first.

“I tell everybody the only reason I could stay 42 years is because of the people I’ve always worked with,” she said. “Everybody’s just working in their rooms trying to help these children achieve. I just feel like we have a really good school out here.”

The greatest joy Giles has experienced has been watching her students progress as children and students.

She said some students might take a longer time to learn, but she does enjoy seeing them improve.

As a teenager, she participated in a Bible club where she worked with children. Since that time, Giles knew she wanted to dedicate all of her time and energy to children by becoming a teacher.

She decided to retire after she completed the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP). The program allowed education employees who are 55 years or older and have had 25 years of service to receive benefits, while still working.

Giles has already broken the news about her retirement to her students. She plans to enjoy her time off with her 2-year-old granddaughter.

“My children know I’m going to retire,” she said. “I’ve talked with the parents and they understand. I told them I’d come back and eat lunch with them sometime and visit them.”

Dallas County Superintendent of Education Don Willingham, said she still has the enthusiasm of a first-year teacher.

“I just think about how many students she taught over the years,” Willingham said. “I bet when she walks into Wal-Mart, it’s hard for her to get out.”