Vera Edwards, center, hugs Erin Raymond, a fifth-grade teacher, after she was honored by students and staff March 30 for her career at the West Clermont School District. Edwards is retiring after 35 years as a teacher in the district.

Vera Edwards, center, hugs Erin Raymond, a fifth-grade teacher, after she was honored by students and staff March 30 for her career at the West Clermont School District. Edwards is retiring after 35 years as a teacher in the district.
Students, teachers and staff members at Holly Hill Elementary lined the halls of the school March 30, many carrying decorated signs and cheering, as Vera Edwards left the building on her last day.

The long-time teacher went out in style taking a lap around the school in a red convertible Dodge Viper as she waved to all of the students.

“It was overwhelming,” Edwards said about the celebration. “It just makes me feel really special.”

Edwards has taught at West Clermont Local School District for 35 years. She began her career at Merwin Elementary and then helped open Holly Hill Elementary.

“She has been a staple at Holly Hill,” Erin Raymond, a fifth-grade teacher said. “A mentor and a leader.”

Raymond said Edwards is known as the “science guru” at Holly Hill, and she has taught second, third and fifth grade since the school opened.

Raymond said March 30 was Edwards last day, and teachers in the school, as well as Edwards’ students, wanted to do something special for her.

“Just to kind of give her one last hurrah,” Raymond said. “I couldn’t picture her not having anything.”

Raymond said they wanted to also do something the students would remember, so they all decorated signs and lined the hallways wishing Edwards a happy retirement. Raymond also arranged for her husband, Rick, to pick Edwards up in the Viper.

For many students, the event was exciting, but for some it was also sad because they were saying goodbye to their teacher. Ellen Lowery will begin teaching Edwards’ students after spring break.

“I am gonna miss her because she has been teaching me and Jonathan for second, third and fifth grade,” Russell Ogden said about Edwards. “She taught me all I know.”

Ogden’s friend Jonathan Jones agreed that Edwards was a fun and helpful teacher, and they both said they enjoyed doing science experiments in her class.

“She has done an awesome job teaching,” Jones said. “And she always did what she could for us.”

The students are what Edwards said she loved most about teaching, and being at the same school for 30 years, she said she has been able to get to know entire families.

“It’s funny because the kids I had when I started, now I have their kids, and even some of their grandkids,” Edwards said.

Edwards said she will come back to visit students and teachers at the school, but her only plans for the next few months are to enjoy a nice break.

When it comes to the future of the school and the already struggling district, Edwards said she just hopes the district remembers what is the most important.

“Just still focus on the kids and making sure their education is relevant,” Edwards said about her hopes for the future. “That what it is all about.”