Walters Elementary Retiring Teachers

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  • Paula Fletcher, Danna Thompson, Carla Thomas
    Paula Fletcher, Danna Thompson, Carla Thomas
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Walters Elementary announces the retirement of three master educators this school year. Paula Fletcher, Carla Thomas, and Danna Thompson have 98 ½ total years combined in Oklahoma education. They are leaving big shoes to fill, we will miss them and wish them the best in their new endeavors.

Paula Fletcher has been an educator for the past 33 years, teaching her entire career at Walters Elementary in first grade after graduating from Cameron University. Prior to that she was a Walters Elementary assistant for four years while going to night school. She enjoyed giving the Gessel Developmental test to incoming kindergarten students for the past 18 years, teaching in the 21st Century Grant program afterschool 5 years and summer school 3 years. Mrs. Fletcher states, “I love my littles! I love teaching them to read and watching that light in their eyes sparkle when they realize that they are reading all by themselves.

She has three grown daughters: Michelle and husband Kevin Carroll of Glennpool, Oklahoma, Mica and Thomas Smith, Tori and Sam Gonzalez all of Walters. Mrs. Fletcher will be enjoying extra time with her five grandchildren Kyla and Brayden Carroll, Brystol Smith, Keaston and Kaizer Gonzalez and great grandchild, Sawyer as well as her sister, Pam Minton and husband Stewart.

Carla Thomas has been an educator for the past 37 years. She has served in the Walters, Comanche and Grandview school systems as a counselor 20 years, teacher 14 years and principal three years. She earned her Masters Degree in 1995, and attained National Board Certification in 2005.

She has been married to Choice Thomas for 45 years, and has two grown sons, Choice Thomas Jr., Christian & family, and Casey Thomas & family. She will greatly miss class time with her students and their daily smiles and hugs, but looks forward to spending more time with grandkids, Trae, Cash, Clyde, Cane and Caroline. She is also looking forward to gardening, birding, traveling, reading, sports spectating and sleeping in on occasion! She is an active member of Walters Methodist Church and its ministries. She would like to thank Mr. Dedmon, The Board of Education, Mrs. Thompson, the Walters community, and all the staff, students and parents for their continued support throughout the years. She looks forward to watching her grandchildren learn and grow in this excellent school system and community.

A letter from Mrs. Thompson

After 28 ½ years in education, I have decided to retire. Without a doubt I will miss the students which makes this difficult, and so many colleagues (teachers and support staff) that have become friends over the years. A simple thank you to them doesn’t begin to sound adequate; you are loved and appreciated. I have been blessed to work in several amazing school districts that will always remain near and dear to my heart. Thank you, Chattanooga, Temple, Big Pasture, and Walters, for taking a chance on me and giving me the best career. I am sincerely grateful for all the opportunities I have had with these schools to make a difference in students’ lives. I have been blessed. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I appreciate the administrators that I have worked for and support from school board members. I know both are often a thankless job, but I have a deep appreciation for your time and service to make schools a better place for students and teachers. Thank you!

I would not have the opportunity to retire so young (25x2+1 after Sept.) if it were not for my parents. I appreciate their sacrifices because my accomplishments belong to them as well. During my undergrad days, I mentioned to them I might need 5 years to graduate; my parents carefully explained I was on the 4 years graduation plan. So, because of this, I was in the last year of teachers hired under the rule of 80 for retirement. I am thankful and grateful; sorry rule of 90 friends. A special thank you to my siblings for setting the bar so high and pushing me to work harder and be better. I am the youngest of six and from an extremely competitive family (academics and athletics) for those who do not know. Our family motto could be summed up as follows: “If you tell me I can’t do something, just sit back and watch me prove you wrong.” My family is the best! Also, I need to include my best friend, who is like a sister. Thank you for your continued positive encouragement year after year. Lastly, I can’t thank my husband Joe enough for taking this journey with me. When I mentioned getting my Masters degree for administration he never blinked an eye (it’s possible he wasn’t listening). For most of my career, I have rarely been home due to supporting school activities and he has never complained. Who knows how well he can tolerate my retired bossy self-seven days a week. So, the journey continues; I hope.