Poplar Bluff School District students will return to classes in little more than a week and for the first time in 44 years, Lonnie Taylor won't be among the staff there to greet them.
The Arkansas native accepted a job teaching fifth grade at Eugene Field Elementary straight out of college with the thought that R-I likely would be a temporary stop, but never left.
As Taylor takes on new challenges in retirement, the staff at his post for the past 21 years, director of the Adult Education and Literacy Program, say they are tasked now with maintaining the integrity of the program that has been his legacy.
Program secretary Gretchen Thom describes her former boss as a man who worked full-time at a part-time job, creating an atmosphere that made students feel comfortable and welcome, as well as treating each one with respect and dignity.
"A lot of our students have not had anyone who cared," Thom explained. "He wanted them to know we cared and we were willing to invest in their future if they gave us a chance."
Taylor knew that for the approximately 1,000 students the adult education program serves annually in six counties, returning to school was the most difficult step on a path that would lead to better job opportunities and more self confidence.
"A lot would tell me, 'I want to get my GED, but I know I can't do this,'" said Taylor, a soft spoken man who at 66 has devoted two-thirds of his life to education. "They are surprised to find they can. But the first thing you have to do is make the student feel welcome, that they are in a comfortable place, and accept them for who they are.
"We didn't look at the past a lot with adult students, but at the future. We weren't concerned with why they didn't do this before, but gave them the opportunity to do it now."
Taylor has taught adult education classes almost as long as he has been with the school system. He accepted a position as high school social studies teacher two years after joining the district, and shortly after that took on additional duties teaching night classes for adults.
The GED is a test which about one-third of high school graduates couldn't pass, Taylor said, and requires a great deal of learning and education.
"It's been very rewarding to see students coming back to show their certificate and attending the graduation ceremony with all of their family and friends," Taylor said. "I think this gives most of the students a lot of self confidence."
It was important to Taylor that students' achievements be recognized, said Thom.
For example, he held a large barbecue for former Rowe employees who came to the program for GED services and remedial education before moving on to training for new jobs after their plant closed, she said. Taylor also always made sure a member of the GED class spoke at their graduation.
"He wanted them to feel important," Thom continued. "He wanted them to feel a great sense of achievement."
Taylor said he has enjoyed working in the school system and with all of its employees.
"Poplar Bluff has a lot of very good, dedicated teachers," he said.
He plans to keep busy in retirement, spending time gardening at the home he shares with his wife, Diana, and playing with his two grandchildren.