MVTHS library losing three

May 15, 2008 10:36 am

— By KANDACE MCCOY
kandace.mccoy@register-news.com
MT. VERNON —With nearly 38 years of teaching experience, Mt. Vernon Township High School English teacher and librarian Ann Garrett is moving forward. And though she will continue to remain with the high school on a half-time basis, Garrett said it’s the end of an era in the high school library, as library clerks Paula McGowen and Penny Jacobs are also moving on.
Garrett began her teaching career in 1970, spending a pair of years at MVTHS. She then spent 14 years at Casey Middle School and also taught at Herrin and Marion for about five years. In 1994, she was hired full time at MVTHS as the librarian, English teacher and communications department chair.
She holds a number of degrees as an educator in addition to her English and library degrees — including a degree in administration, a master’s degree in guidance counseling and elementary education, and is qualified for all special education areas as well as being National Board Certified.
Garrett will spend her time away from MVTHS teaching elementary language arts classes at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, while also completing another degree in English as a Second Language.
“I’ve always been in school and love being in school,” she said. “It’s so challenging. I’ve always wanted a Ph.D. — maybe there will be time now.”
As a student in ESL, Garrett remarked she thought she knew English but was learning more every day. She will receive her ESL certification in December.
Of her time at MVTHS, Garrett says each year has been “wonderful.”
“There’s always those special students and I can’t think of a better time to be with students. They’re genuine. It’s great to see them become competent users of English because they’ll become what they want no matter what they do.”
With the additional retirements of McGowen and Jacobs, Garrett added the library is seeing the end of an era. McGowen is stepping down from library clerk after 30 years as an MVTHS employee, with Jacobs, who has been a library clerk for 14 years, making the same decision.
“It’s kept me young,” said McGowen, who began working for the high school in 1978 as a special education aide. “I will really miss it — the students most of all.”
Jacobs said she has enjoyed watching students grow as they come in as freshman and graduate as seniors.
“I enjoyed it when kids pick up a book and bring it back saying how much they loved it,” she said. “Kids who weren’t readers are now readers and it’s been a joy.”
But the real incentive for students in the library or taking English classes, Jacobs insists, has been Garrett’s presence and role at the high school.
“She’s awesome,” she said. “She’s helped so many students. She gives them self-worth and makes them feel special. She’s been an incentive to the kids.”
“I wouldn’t trade the years for anything,” Garrett boasted. “They’ve been wonderful. I’ve worked with great people and had wonderful students. It’s up to us to make sure they can be what they can be. I was lucky to be in the right profession my whole career.”
She added another reward was working with colleagues who are former students. “I’m teaching with people I taught in class [like Holly McKay]. They’re also nationally certified. That’s rewarding.”
And while Garrett plans to continue her education, McGowen and Jacobs hope to get in a little traveling. McGowen will be meeting up with her husband in Louisville, Ky., while Jacob and her husband are also making plans to move closer to their children.
“It’s bittersweet,” McGowen added. “[Retiring] is something you want to do, but don’t want to do. It’s a hard decision to make.”

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