Vicksburg Intermediate School teacher Joan Minor speaks to sixth-grade students Thursday during a review session for state tests. Minor, retiring this year, has taught in the Vicksburg Warren School District for 50 years.(Melanie Duncan Thortis The Vicksburg Post)

[5/5/03]A teacher who taught school in Warren County for 50 years will retire in a couple of weeks, and students, teachers and fellow educators are all giving her an A-plus.

Joan Minor, a sixth-grade teacher at Vicksburg Intermediate, is the top honoree as the Vicksburg Warren School District winds up the 2002-2003 school year.

“She taught my oldest daughter and my youngest daughter,” said Deborah Nunnally, Minor’s assistant teacher. “They never complained about Mrs. Minor’s class. She was a good teacher, and her students loved her.”

Twelve-year-old LaDonzie Burks said Minor is her favorite.

“She’s helpful, and she explains everything,” LaDonzie said.

As for working with Minor, Nunnally had nothing but good things to say.

Simply stated, Nunnally said, “She’s a jewel.”

“If you’re down, believe me, you’re going to get a smile from Mrs. Minor because she’s going to say something to make you laugh.”

Vicksburg Intermediate Principal Norman Powell said Minor is an “excellent teacher who will be missed.” However, he said, “She certainly has earned the right for some peace and quiet.”

Minor received a bachelor of science degree from Alcorn State University in 1953 and began teaching that year.

In fact, she remembers getting her first job immediately after graduation.

“Mr. Jerome Stampley came out to the house and said, I have something for you,'” she said. “And I signed the contract on my front porch.”

Stampley was principal at Lane’s Hill Elementary School.

Fifty-nine students were enrolled in Minor’s first class.

“They were so well-disciplined,” she said. “I had no difficulties, and the parents were right behind me 100 percent.”

Minor said the most significant change she’s seen in her career is in the children.

“They’re different in that the parents are not as strict as they used to be,” she said. “Some are, but some children need a lot of discipline.”

Frank Marley was principal at the school named Cherry Street School and McIntyre School while Minor was a teacher there.

“She was a very conscientious teacher, always on time and cooperative,” he said. “She wanted the best for her students and wanted them to do their best.”

“I’d have to give her an A-plus.”

Superintendent Donald Oakes, who will retire in June, worked at Halls Ferry Elementary School with Minor for five years, and named her energy, optimism and positive attitude as her outstanding qualities.

Minor and Oakes are two of 40 retirees who will be honored at the district’s board meeting next Thursday.

“A lot of good people are retiring,” Oakes said. “And they’re taking with them a tremendous amount of experience that will be difficult to replace.”

The combined years of service for all 40 retirees is 1,000 years.

As Minor and others put the chalk and the lesson plans away for the last time on May 26, Minor said she’ll miss her students most.

“It’s hard work, but the reward is wonderful,” she said. “If I had to do it all over again, I’d be at teacher all over again.”