June 4, 2024 – Old Town Elementary School Teacher Assistant Judy Howard got a loving sendoff from her colleagues and loved ones during a special retirement party on Monday afternoon.
Howard has been with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools for 36 years, and while she’s filled many roles at multiple schools, she’s spent most of her time at Old Town. Her impact on the school was clearly visible on Monday as she was showered with gifts and praise by teachers and administrators both past and present. Dozens of guests agreed that the personal investment she makes in everyone around her has made Old Town a better place, most of all for the students who feel consistently valued in school because of her presence.
“At a Title I school, I think sometimes people go numb to the kids’ situations, and it’s just a survival instinct because what they go through breaks your heart too much to bear,” said Old Town Music Teacher Jack Wooten. “Judy doesn’t do that. I’m always impressed by the amount of compassion she has for every student.”
The other trait that defines Howard’s reputation is her energy level. Anytime there’s a job that needs to be done or a program that needs to be implemented, she’s quick to get involved and make life easier for the rest of her team. Even as she approaches retirement, she’s already thinking about how soon she can get back into Old Town for volunteer opportunities. Principal Samantha Manring will be happy to have her back whenever possible.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever met another person who was as passionate about their job as she is,” Manring said. “She loves the kids so much and she wants to do whatever she can to make sure everybody is at their best. I wish I had the energy she has.”
36 years is a lot of time for the field of education to change, and sure enough, curriculum and pedagogy developments have forced educators to adapt significantly over the years. Howard had been with the district for more than three decades by the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit and made the classroom experience unrecognizable. But she still held on, determined to make whatever difference she could in students’ lives for as long as she could.
“She’s always leaned in,” said Dr. Debra Gladstone, Principal of Forest Park Elementary School. “Whether she was inside or outside the classroom, she’s always given 100% to anything she does.”
Even though Howard feels like it’s time to take a step back, Old Town will always hold a special place in her heart. One of the most emotional moments of her party was when she was gifted a painting of the school, one that signifies that the school’s legacy and her own are deeply intertwined. It warmed her heart to see the appreciation of the Old Town community on display, and she’s already excited for the next time she gets to visit a classroom and read to the students.
“It’s such an honor… it’s hard for me to even talk because I’m just overwhelmed,” Howard said. “I wanted to leave from here when I retired because this is like a home to me… It’s what I love to do more than anything.”