Mrs. Wingate’s Retirement

Adelyn Ruiz

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” This quote by Brad Henry applies to a lot of teachers, but Mrs. Wingate’s love for her students and her job is a great example. Mrs. Wingate has taught a lot of different grades and subjects. She started out at Leonard Grade School teaching 1st grade, then 6th grade Reading for a year, 7th grade Language Arts for four years, and junior-high Science at Clearfield Area Junior/Senior High School ever since. Outside of teaching, while still helping at school, she is the Yearbook advisor, a homebound tutor, sells and takes tickets for sporting events, and even had a junior- high Helping Hands club. Although it is devastating to see her go, after 32 years of teaching, Mrs. Wingate is going to retire. When asked about what she would miss most, she responded with, “I will miss watching the students come in as 7th graders unsure of themselves and the new adventure upon which they are embarking, to seeing them graduate as confident seniors ready to take on the world. That’s the reason I walk with the graduates each year. It’s my way of showing them my respect and admiration for all they have accomplished.”

After she retires, Mrs. Wingate plans on moving to Virginia Beach, where her daughter and two of her grandchildren live. She hopes to travel and relax. Even though it is sad to see her go, her impact on this school with remain for many years.