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Retiring educator honored
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Debbie Phillips, right, who is retiring from a 37-year career in education, was honored at Liberty Elementary School in Sallisaw Wednesday by the administration, faculty and staff, including Henrietta Luttmer, left. Among the many gifts Phillips received were books to share with her first grandchild, Carson. Phillips said her first day of retirement is July 1, and her grandson’s birth due date is July 5.
Linda Copeland • TIMES
Phillips submitted her retirement to the Sallisaw School Board March 6, and the board accepted her retirement letter reluctantly. Phillips is currently serving the system as federal programs supervisor, and she has a total of 37 years dedicated to education.
At the retirement party Wednesday, teachers from each class presented Phillips with books for her first grandchild. Phillips said her first day of retirement will be July 1, and her first grandchild, a boy named Carson, is expected to arrive on July 5. Smiling, as usual, Phillips said she would be back in four years to enroll her grandchild in school. She said her grandmother’s name has already been decided. It will be DD.
Staff members noted that Phillips often used the exclamation “WOW” and the theme of the party was “The Day for the Wacky Old Woman.”
School Superintendent Ron Wyrick said, “She has been a big, big influence on this school system, along with her husband Dwight.”
Dwight Phillips served many years in education, including serving as Tommie Spear Middle School principal. He is also retired.
Wyrick presented Debbie Phillips with a Sallisaw School System pin, with diamonds, and a lifetime pass to all the events at Liberty School.
The teachers at each grade level then spoke about their experiences with Phillips, in fun, with laughter, and presented her with children’s books to read to her new grandchild. Each group appeared in a theme selected by Phillips and the staff for each school year, from “The Wizard of Oz,” to pirates.
At the conclusion of the presentations, teacher Chad Jasna sang a song he had written for Phillips.
Phillips told the crowd, “What a difference you have made in my life. You have made this such a memorable time. All of your efforts will be forever in my heart.
“I love you. I thank each and everyone of you for being such a huge part of my life.”
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