After 36 years as a teacher in Aiken County Public Schools, the last six at Clearwater Elementary, Ann Kitchings is retiring at the end of the school year.
She won't be gone for long, however. After some quality time at the beach this summer, Kitchings will return to Clearwater in the fall as a certified tutor.
Faculty, staff, students, family and friends recognized Kitchings for her dedication to the profession at an assembly Thursday and dedicated the school's 2014-15 yearbook to her. The school, along with friends and family, also honored Arleen Mitchum, a kindergarten teacher's aid and a crossing guard at Clearwater, who will retire after 28 years.
Kitchings started her career at Pinecrest Elementary and then moved to Laurens Street Elementary when Pinecrest closed. When Laurens Street Elementary closed, she moved to Aiken Elementary and taught there for 28 years.
After Aiken Elementary, she taught reading intervention at Jefferson Elementary before coming to Clearwater to teach resource, working with students with disabilities.
During her years as a teacher, Kitchings has taught kindergarten and second grade, and worked with students from 4K to fifth grade as a resource teacher.
Kitchings first knew teaching was her life's vocation in second grade at Millbrook Elementary.
"That was thanks to Mrs. Wood," Kitchings said. "She was one of those beautiful, sweet ladies with blue hair. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to be a teacher."
Kitchings said the "actual teaching" kept her in the profession. "That's what I've always wanted to do, and that's what I enjoy doing, working with the kids and helping them to learn the things that are challenging for them," Kitchings said.
As a certified tutor next year, Kitchings can continue doing what she loves best.
"I'll get the best part of what I like, which is the teaching," she said. "I'm looking forward to coming back."
While Kitchings relaxes at the beach, Mitchum will travel to her camper in the mountains and is looking spending time there in the fall.
A lifelong resident of area, Mitchum has been a part of Clearwater Elementary most of her life. She, her children and grandchildren all went to the school.
Mitchum volunteered in her daughter's kindergarten class and then substitute taught at the school before being hired as a teacher's assistant.
"I've got to experience a long life here, not just my 28 years," Mitchum said.
Mitchum said she will miss her time with the children. "We do our academics, but I play with them and sing to them," she said. "Helping them and watching them learn how to read and then seeing the children years later - that's been the most rewarding."
An Aiken native, Larry Wood is a general assignment reporter. He started at the Aiken Standard in September 2014.