Debra “Debbie” King, a teacher at Agawam’s Early Childhood Center, will end a 35-year career in the district at the end of June.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
AGAWAM — Debra “Debbie” King never intended to become a teacher. She wanted to be a nurse, but an anatomy and physiology class changed her career plans and led to a teaching career.
Now, she’s retiring after a more than three-decade-long teaching career in Agawam.
“It’s hard to believe 35 years have passed in a profession I truly love,” said King, who began her career in the district as a substitute teacher at the high school. She decided to become a teacher after taking an early childhood course while preparing to become a nurse. “I enjoyed it, and I did well in the course,” she recalled.
King worked in several paraprofessional positions at Robinson Park School – now Sapelli School – before she began teaching at the Early Childhood Center at Perry Lane Park. She said each of her para positions gave her valuable experience and prepared her to become a preschool teacher.
“I truly love working with special and regular education preschool students,” said the Agawam resident. “Every day is an adventure and a learning experience. Their unfiltered honesty and stories have given me many laugh lines throughout the years.”
King said the responsibility to be a child’s first teacher is an important one.
“Introducing them to learning in a positive way can set them up for success in their future grades,” she said. “In preschool, we may not be the teachers they remember, but we are the most important teachers that start them on their educational journey.”
When she began teaching at the ECC, she said it was more of a “play-based learning style” of teaching, with different curriculum and programs slowly added.
“The expectations of what a preschool student needed to learn changed,” said King, one of 20 Agawam school staff retiring in June. “The demands of teachers also slowly became greater, with more expectations placed on teachers while time with paras in the classroom decreased.”
. Despite the changes, King said she will miss her work.
“Since we’re a smaller school, we work so closely together — it’s like being with an extended family,” she said. “I’ve had the pleasure to work with an incredible group of people who combine their talents on a daily basis to help our students reach their goals.”
King said she wouldn’t have been able to work for so long in one place if it weren’t for her students, whom she affectionately calls “My kids.” She said working with such a young age group always kept her on her toes: “I love their spontaneity and their desire to learn.”
What King won’t miss about her work is the paperwork, the planning, and the endless advocating for her students.
“Throughout the years, policies and procedures were always changing, making it difficult to keep up with the rules and the regulations,” she said.
King said she’s thankful she worked in a school with teachers who always strove to make things work.
“As a staff, we may have different educational philosophies, specialties and backgrounds, but we always had the same goal: move our students forward for as long as they are with us,” she said.
She said teaching has been a challenging profession. “It’s not just a 10-month position,” said King. “Many times, I’ve taken summer courses so I will have enough professional development credits to renew my license. I also planned for the following school year during the summer.”
Another challenge King’s faced is making decisions about finding the best kindergarten placement for her students.
“I try to look at their skills and match them with programs available throughout the district. Advocating for my students can be time-consuming and frustrating if programs and staffing are not available. I’ve always tried to achieve the best possible outcomes for them,” she said.
One of her proudest moments has been seeing former students in the community and learning that they’re doing well, enjoying school, thriving and achieving their goals.
King, 57, said she decided to retire now for several reasons. She wants to spend more time with her family and travel. She’s also looking forward to having time to work in her gardens, inside her home and try new activities that she didn’t have the time to do. while working
King said she’s qualified for the maximum pension, 80% of salary, but she’s hoping to make it a full circle by going back to being a substitute teacher in the fall.
“I love working with children and this can be a way I can be with them, yet have no other responsibilities when the school day ends,” she said.
King said her parents and husband are thrilled she’s retiring.
“We’ve started planning activities and travel when I’m retired. My husband also is thrilled that he won’t have to carry heavy tote boxes with school supplies from our basement to my car every week.”
Her advice to new teachers: “Only you know what’s in the plan. Be flexible and don’t be afraid to follow a student’s lead when it comes to teaching.”
Other retiring Agawam school staff include Deborah Armakovitch, high school health and physical education teacher, after 21 years; John “Jack” Barry, junior high school technology teacher (20 years); Dorota Burton, cafeteria cook and manager (21 years); Nancy Campbell, Doering School teacher (26 years); Maria DeCaro, Doering School paraprofessional (27 years); Carrie Egerton, high school adjustment counselor (17 years); Donna Ferraiolo, Doering School teacher (20 years); Lorie Gessay, cafeteria cook and manager (31 years); Lisa Howe, Doering School paraprofessional (25 years); Ellen Jergensen, Phelps School paraprofessional (22 years); David Kandar, high school English teacher (20 years); Rosemarie Light, junior high school special education teacher (28 years); Patricia “Zoe” Luman, high school paraprofessional (seven years); Anastasia Moysis, junior high school health teacher (30 years); Heidi Payeur, Phelps School paraprofessional (27 years); Geoffrey Phillips, high school science teacher (20 years); Gina Robbins, Doering School special education teacher (17 years); Lee White, Granger School paraprofessional (11 years); and Renee White, Doering School teacher (29 years).
