Oktibbeha County math teacher retiring after 39 years

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- They make a lasting impact every day. Teachers touch lives.

In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Day, we spotlight an educator who’s been in the classroom for 40 years.

This veteran teacher loves her job and her students. But, after four decades of preparing lesson plans and grading papers, she’s ready to retire.

Vera Myles has taught math for 39 years.

“I love teaching. I like to work with kids I like to see them succeed,” said Myles.

This is her last year. Mrs. Myles is retiring at the end of the school year.

She says a lot has changed in 40 years.

“They have more technology, they’re more exposed to much more as opposed to when I first started, and now so we have to stay up to par so it is a process,” said Myles.

But one thing that hasn’t changed, according to Myles, is the amount teachers get paid.

“It’s too late for me, as far as getting a pay raise. I’m going home. I think teachers deserve as much as they can get because, first of all, we teach everybody,” said Myles.

“We’re teaching the doctors, the lawyers, and tell them how they are to do their job and then we reward them with big lush salaries. Then the people that teach them, we barely pay them,” said Myles.

This session Mississippi lawmakers approved a $1,500 dollar pay raise.

But, Mrs. Myles says they could do a lot better.

“We thank you for the $1,500 but they deserve much more,” said Myles.

As her four-decade teaching career winds downs, she’s already planned her retirement.

“Right now all I wanna do is get me somewhere and rest,” said Myles.

Her students said there’s no doubt about Mrs. Myle’s passion for teaching.

The veteran teacher expressed she just wants the Mississippi legislature to show that same passion when it comes to paying educators.

“We teach their most valuable commodities, their children. And without us, I mean, their kids aren’t going to be educated. We actually send them into all the various areas and everybody else can pay their people and it looks like they don’t care enough to pay us,” said Myles.

Mrs. Myles’ grandson will start ninth grade at Starkville High School this fall. Since he plays basketball, she plans to follow the team.

So, students, she’ll still be around.