CCS Bids Farewell to Retiring Teachers
Sue Lavigne, Diane Cote and Sheila Aube
by Rowan Beck,
May 20, 2010, page 7.....

Charlotte Central School (CCS) will be saying good-bye to three prominent and irreplaceable teachers. The CCS community bids farewell to Sue Lavigne, Diane Cote and Sheila Aube, who together have 122 years of experience and service teaching countless students. The decision to retire was tough for each to make, and their departure is bittersweet.

Oddly enough, all three were raised in Vermont and attended schools with multi-aged classrooms. Diane is from Troy, a small town just outside of Jay. Sue is from Castleton and Sheila is originally from Monkton. All three have lived in Charlotte for at least thirty years and all sent their children to CCS. Diane and Sheila were even pregnant at the same time. When Sheila met with the principal to tell him her exciting news, his words as he walked into the classroom were, “Please don’t tell me you’re pregnant…” She reminisced with a chuckle, “Six women were pregnant that year and scheduling had become quite a challenge.”

Each knew from a very young age that teaching was what she wanted to do. Whenever Diane played school as a young girl, she was always a teacher. Her parents also had a huge influence. They placed a high value on education and had the deepest respect for teachers. Her aunt was a music teacher. Sheila’s experience was similar in that her mother was a teacher and then a principal. Her father was on the school board. “On weekends when my mother went in to work I would go with her.” She began teaching Sunday School when she was 15 and “never thought of anything else.” Sue also taught religion in high school and worked with the Girl Scouts and the Head Start Program, which was offered to pre-school children who needed a little extra help. Sue was the assistant during the summer.
The parallels among these three women are incredible. They each have a gift and love their jobs. All started teaching in a multi-grade situation where the teacher taught the basics and the students always worked with the older children to reinforce what was taught. Diane was teaching a 3/4 class when she switched to the Reading Room, 21 years ago. While she was teaching in the 3/4 classroom she had Tom Scatchard as a student teacher. At the time he was getting his masters degree from the University of Vermont. He said, “You could tell that she really knew what she was doing and that she really cared. It was clear to everyone that she was a talented, caring teacher.”

Diane also is a talented singer, as is Sheila. Colleen Brady, a 2/3 teacher, said one of her most memorable moments of Diane and Sheila outside the classroom was of them “singing at staff parties. Sheila loves Elvis and they both enjoy singing oldies. They have beautiful voices and would often sing at social events.” Both of Colleen’s daughters had Sheila when they attended CCS.

There are many parts of teaching they enjoy. All love the children, the laughs and smiling faces. They’ve had such extensive careers that they get a kick out of getting the children of previous students. Sue even had some grandchildren of students.

They love that it is always changing, and that they are always learning. It is rewarding when “out of the blue you get a note saying, ‘I just wanted to say thank you.’ Or you see someone in the grocery store and they say, ‘Do you remember me?’ and they remember you and specific details,” Sheila says with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. Diane agreed. She remembered when a young man in an Air Force uniform came into her room and she didn’t recognize him. “I hadn’t seen him for 12 to 15 years. He told me he had to come by and say thank you. ‘I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.’”

These teachers have touched so many, and the gratitude and appreciation just flows toward them. When their names were announced for retiring next year at a CCS Board meeting, there was a huge sigh from the audience. Countless parents have expressed their appreciation for these women and their commitment to education and the community.

Diane, Sue and Sheila have seen many changes throughout their time at CCS. Technology, for example, has changed and influenced learning. It has become essential in the reading room where repetition is key. “It makes it fun for them (the students).” They all remember having “ bus duty for an hour before and after school, when there were only two buses. Getting three was a big deal.” There were two bus trips and everyone rode the bus; people rarely drove. Kids would play on the playground while waiting to go home. Children got to school as early as 7 a.m. The staff is also much larger now and there is no longer a staff room where the teachers could connect. There is also less time for kids to be kids. “Kids are pushed to excel. Everything is moving faster, expectations are so much more,” Diane reflected.

There is a great deal that they will miss upon their retirement, mostly the smiling faces and the sense of community. All agreed that CCS is like one big family. They will miss the interaction with the students and their colleagues. “Everyone is so helpful. It’s a nice supportive place to work. There is a generous spirit here.” Sue smiles.
Not to worry: these women will not be alone and bored. All plan to continue to work within the community and maintain the connection with people. Sheila plans to volunteer with the elderly. Sue is looking forward to being available in a less structured way. Diane plans to stay connected with teaching and other professionals. All intend to go through a few boxes and spend time with family. The three are already planning to get together the first day of school. “We won’t be lonely!”

These three teachers have dedicated their working lives to CCS. “This is the only adult job we’ve ever had,” Sue says looking at both Diane and Sheila. They are opening new chapters in their lives and will be sorely missed. The number of lives they have touched in their 40/41 year careers is incomprehensible. They have truly cared for each and every student and fully enjoyed coming to work every day. The community has been well served by them and their influence on the generations they have taught.