Thank You, 2024-2025 Retirees!

Congratulations to our Barrow BOLD team of retirees!

We thank you for your service, support, and the impact you made in the lives of children every day. The amazing ways in which you have influenced generations of students!

See the list of retirees and some of their favorite memories below:

DONNA CHILDERS, BETHLEHEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER, 30 YEARS IN EDUCATION / 30 AT BCSS
"I have had the opportunity to work with many amazing educators and many of these have become great friends. Also, building relationships with parents and students over the years has been very rewarding to me. I have even had the pleasure of teaching former students' children. My greatest joy is seeing these students become successful adults over the years. I enjoy hearing from them and learning about the paths they are traveling in life."

SCOTT KING, CENTRAL OFFICE, 36 YEARS IN EDUCATION/18 AT BCSS
"Barrow has grown so much through my years here, and I am especially fond of the wonderfully kind-hearted colleagues whose focus has always been on the well-being and success of our students...I've seen many move into somewhat "uncomfortable" actions and procedures because we all knew it was what was best for students, and that we should not be focused on ourselves as educators, but rather on those who need us the most! It has been an honor to be associated with Barrow County Schools!"

KEVIN ELLINGTON,  HOLSENBECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER, 29 YEARS IN EDUCATION / 27 AT BCSS
"The annual tradition of graduating seniors walking through the halls of the elementary school they attended created one of my fondest memories. The WBHS class of 2022 seniors came to the gym and requested to get a picture made with me after their final walk through the halls of Holsenbeck Elementary School. It let me know that I had made a positive impact on their lives. I was able to let them play one of their favorite games (Castle Ball) from elementary PE one last time. It was so cool watching them play with all the energy and zest of a little kid again."

SHIRLEY GUNTER, RUSSELL MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER, 20 YEARS IN EDUCATION / 20 AT BCSS
"I enjoyed working at the schools that my daughters were attending. It was an honor to present their diplomas at their graduations. Being a leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA, was very important to me. Sharing Jesus with students was my greatest pleasure. I enjoyed working with Teachers and Students in the classroom very much. I was the Hearing and Vision coordinator and screener. I enjoyed being the nurse's substitute in the clinics. It was a joy to get to know so many people and be a part of their lives. Now, one of my wonderful daughters has become an excellent teacher in the Barrow County School System as well. Things have changed a lot over the past 20 years. I am so happy and blessed to have been a part of the Barrow County School System."

JIM YIKE, APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, 37 YEARS IN EDUCATION / 5 AT BCSS
"I'm proud of the fact that during my tenure at Apalachee, we have sent 4 athletes on to collegiate programs to continue their throwing careers. Those students finished top 6 in the state 5 times and created a throwing culture that other schools took notice of and respected. Walking into Collins Hill stadium for an invitational and seeing the whole place go quiet as our boys warmed up is one of my all-time favorite memories in sports. I'm also proud of the growth my math students have shown as students of mathematics in their journey to becoming daily problem solvers."

MAPP SMITH, MAINTENANCE, 23 YEARS IN EDUCATION / 23 AT BCSS
"Helping elementary students learn about rocks and minerals, with the rock display I let each of the schools borrow for a week when they are studying rocks and minerals."

DONNA HAMILTON, NUTRITION, 21 YEARS IN EDUCATION / 21 AT BCSS
"I am so proud to be a part of the Barrow County School System. I have met so many wonderful people over the years. I love greeting all the kids every day and seeing them smile. The Barrow County School System is a great place to work, and I will never forget the great times I had working at BASA and Winder-Barrow High School.

Retirees