Retired Teachers Honored at WR Middle School

Warner Robins Middle School hosted the fourth annual retired teachers luncheon on Thursday. 50 Retired WRMS teachers are welcomed to converse and eat with past colleagues and be honored for their contributions to the warrior legacy.

Principal Brett Wallace said the tradition began when he found out that former WRMS teachers would meet regularly and catch up with one another to reminisce about old times. One of the teachers on staff, Glenda Vallely would hold the meetings every month. The venue would change each time until Beck decided to bring these warriors home.

He realized how special this event was and suggested that the next meeting be held at the school. “I said why don’t y’all come to the school in March,” Wallace said. “And it just kind of grew from there.” Now the school hold the luncheon every year in March. Next year, the event will be even more special because the school will celebrate its 50th birthday.

Wallace says the staff plans to do something really special to mark the special occasion and they anticipate an even bigger crowd next year. Wallace said it was important to recognize the retired teachers because they put in the ground work to make the school what it is today. “They built the school culture that we have now,” he said. “It’s good for me personally to see a group of people who think this place is as special as we do.”

The luncheon serves as a family reunion for all who attend. Old friends embrace each other, former students reconnect with their old teachers and peers from back in the day remember the good ole days. The staff also makes it a priority to honor staff members who have departed. The family of the very first WRMS principal, Joe Musselwhite Sr. was present at this year’s luncheon in remembrance of the pioneer principal who started it all.

Carol Beatty taught public school for 33 years before she retired and she said her fondest years were spent at her alma mater, WRMS. She attended the school one year after the school was opened in 1970. She later came back to teach physical education and career education for 6th and 7th grade.

What Beatty enjoyed most about teaching at WRMS was getting to teach alongside the same people who taught her. “It was just really special because some of those people were still here teaching,” she said. “It was just a great environment.” Beatty says she tries to make it to every meeting to connect with old friends and mentors.

This Wallace’s seventh year as principal at WRMS and he is more than proud to be apart of this unique family. “It’s a unique school,” Wallace said “A unique faculty.”