Retiring local teachers Marshall Williams, Patty Williams, Marilyn Emmons, and Lisa Gaskill are pictured below. The cake reads "Thank you for making every minute count and every child matter."
A retirement party was held last Thursday for four Broadus teachers. The party, which took place at the elementary gym, featured a cake, gifts, and was attended by a crowd of faculty and family of the teachers.
On the south wall of the gym, a display was made for each of the retiring teachers – Marilyn Emmons, Marshall & Patty Williams, and Lisa Gaskill. The display featured each teacher's total minutes of teaching; Marilyn and Marshall each had 3,416,000 minutes of teaching, while Patty spent 1,729,000 minutes teaching, and Lisa 1,468,800 minutes.
We spoke with the educators about their experiences. Marilyn Emmons began teaching in Broadus as a classroom speech aide, then taught 3rd grade until she transferred to 1st grade, where she has spent the majority of her 40 year career.
She told us that she holds special cherished memories of each one of her students, and her future plans include taking care of and spending more time with her grandkids, as well as some substitute teaching at the school.
Lisa Gaskill began her career working as a teacher's assistant at the elementary before teaming up with Music Teacher Lisa Lynch to help with the music program. Lisa told us that her favorite memories involved seeing the kids work pay off at district music festivals, and her future plans are to help look after her grand baby.
Patty Williams spent a number of years working as a substitute teacher, as well as the service learning coordinator, helping lead community appreciation day and other community programs before taking the Title 1 position, 20 years ago. In that position, Patty helped students improve their academic understanding. Patty told us that one of her favorite memories was "having Darby ask what school "we" are applying for," an inside joke between her and a former student.
Patty plans to move with her husband Marshall to Highwood, Montana, where they will be closer to family and be able to help out with ranch work, as well as possibly substitute teaching at area schools.
Marshall Williams began teaching the ag program in Broadus 40 years ago, following a year of teaching in Judith Gap. Marshall said that one of his favorite memories was seeing the growth of a former student who when she first entered his class would barely speak to anyone. Over the years, he watched her confidence grow as she joined FFA and held offices in the program, and went on to become a confident and well spoken student by the time she graduated. Marshall spoke of his teaching experience: "Sometimes you don't know what you've helped create until years later, when a former student comes back and says how much they learned from your class. That's what education is all about - helping someone to grow and become a better person."
The four teachers retire with a combined 117 years of education experience in Broadus. Their wealth of knowledge and skill helped educate many a local student, and their presence at the school will be missed.
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