Atlanta Public Schools (APS) rolled out the red carpet to honor 73 retirees at a July 2024 dinner celebration recognizing the remarkable careers and accomplishments of employees whose combined service to the district assisted in graduating thousands of students.
Photo slideshow of the APS Silver Star Retirement Celebration. Photo credits: Dane Sponberg, Brianna Mason and Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) rolled out the red carpet to honor 73 retirees at a dinner celebration recognizing the remarkable careers and accomplishments of employees whose combined service to the district assisted in graduating thousands of students.
Greeted by the evening’s emcee FOX 5 News reporter, Aungelique Proctor, the retirees, fondly referred to as Silver Stars, enjoyed entertainment by The Headliner Band against the backdrop of the Delta Flight Museum’s nostalgic aviation decor.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle Battle addressed the retirees, expressing gratitude for their unwavering commitment to education and the students of the district.
“We are so thankful for your service over the years. Your good mornings, your hugs when kids are down, whether you were feeding them, driving them to school, on the school buses, or teaching them, we are so thankful for your service. The students of Atlanta Public Schools are forever grateful,” said Dr. Battle.
Each retiree was recognized by name and gifted a commemorative trophy as well as two tickets to an Atlanta Falcons football game.
Shannon Astin received the Atlanta Public Schools 2024 Retiree with the Most APS Years of Service Award. Photo: Dane Sponberg, APS ©
Among the Silver Stars was Shannon Astin, who retired after an impressive 43 years of service as an administrative assistant, making her the most seasoned retiree of 2024. As she reflected on her educational career that spanned the facilities, operations, and transportation departments, her village mindset was at the root of her longevity with the district.
“You have to feel that family love,” said Austin. “When I started working here, Dr. Crim was the supervisor. He pounded that in us every day— that we’re family. And it definitely wasn’t the money, but it was the love of what I was doing. And knowing that what I did really made a difference.”
Hailing from a family deeply rooted in education, Austin’s three sisters also served as APS employees and her two daughters are proud APS graduates.
Similarly, retiree Nan Hunter graduated from Northside High School (now North Atlanta High School) in 1988, served as a math teacher at North Atlanta for 29 years, and raised two daughters who are also North Atlanta graduates. When reflecting on her tenure, one of her most cherished memories was assisting with the commencement exercises each year.
“I was a graduation coordinator. At our graduation [ceremonies] we do the big ‘N-A,’ and I’m very proud of that and my work with the graduations,” Hunter recalled.
APS retirees Nan Hunter and Jasper Jewell with Erica Long, Dr. Danielle Battle, and Aungelique Proctor. Photos: Dane Sponberg, APS ©
Jasper Jewell, who retired after 30 years in education, including 14 years as the Athletic Director of APS and was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 2019, described his experience as gratifying and impactful.
“We had ups and downs, but the wonderful thing about being a product of Atlanta Public Schools, like I am, is it’s always good to come back home and give back to our coaches, give back to our students, and give back to the parents,” said Jewell. “It’s a wonderful experience. We were successful in terms of academic performance and in terms of state championships. In my 14-year history, we’ve gone to 19 state championships. Many regional championships and things of that nature. And the best thing of all— we had hundreds upon hundreds of kids get scholarships to go to the next level. To me, that’s what it’s all about.”
Recognizing the retirees at the Silver Star Retirement Celebration was a fitting tribute to acknowledge the culmination of their educational careers and loyal service to Atlanta’s youth.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Battle emphasized the significance of commemorating the retirement of the district’s employees.
“It is so important to honor our retirees, because they are our legacy. They are the ones that are working with our students, hand in hand, day in and day out,” said Dr. Battle. “Even when they get tired, they come to work, so we appreciate that, and this is just a small token of our appreciation to say thank you for your many years of service.”
“Now, you can go ahead and retire, and live your life,” she added, speaking directly to the retirees. “Do those things you really enjoy, but just know that you’ll always be a part of the Atlanta Public Schools family.”
Enjoy the above video recap of the APS 2024 Silver Star Retirement Celebration. Click here to visit and subscribe to our YouTube.
Please help us celebrate these Silver Stars by reading a few of their reflections:
Charles German
Special Education MOID Teacher, Carver Early College • 11 years of service to APS
I am proud to have four MID/Autistic/Down Syndrome students complete the Atlanta Public Schools Transition Program! Three more are currently navigating the program successfully.
Genise Johnson
Paraprofessional Kindergarten, Miles Elem School • 27 years of service to APS
One of my fondest memories is of me trying to operate my new cell phone and a student reaching for the phone to show me what to do. A lesson from a student! I learn from them just as much as they learn from me.
Mary Benton
Assistance Principal Elementary, Lin Elem School • 27 years of service to APS
As a teacher at Usher Middle School (Closed 2008), my 7th grade team took over 120 students to Washington D.C. for a week. We were able to meet the late Congressman John Lewis, go on a personal tour of the Capital and take pictures with him. Fun and memorable!
Sheila Byrd
School Bus Monitor, Department of Operations • 13 years of service to APS
My personal and fun experience during my tenure at Atlanta Public Schools as a DSE bus monitor was greeting the students every morning with a smile and calling them by their names. Communicating with them, comforting them when needed, listening to them and telling them how proud I was of their achievements and goals.
Kandy Wilkinson
Social Studies Teacher 6-8, King Middle School • 18 years of service to APS
Perhaps, one of my fun memories was traveling on an old NAACP bus with five students to Washington, D.C. for the unveiling of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s monument. As a Social Studies teacher and a teacher at King Middle School, it was an empowering moment in my career to be a part of something so special.
Elliott Tarplin
Electrician, Department of Operations • 30 years of service to APS
I loved being able to return to work in the elementary and high school that I attended.
Wilma Brightharp
Media Specialist, Benteen Elementary School • 31 years of service to APS
“Just Keep Reading, Just Keep Reading, Just Keep Reading!” This was my signature phrase that I used, as a library media specialist, to encourage our students to read for 20 minutes each day, record the minutes that they read in the Beanstack app, and to successfully take and pass an Accelerated Reader quiz. I even own a T-shirt that says that very thing. Yes, they mimicked me, but they lived up to the challenge and read!
Patrice Skipper
EIP Teacher, Continental Colony Elementary School • 8 years of service to AP
For Halloween one year my team dressed up as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the students loved it!
Janice Walker
Custodian, Beecher Hills Elem School • 29 years of service to APS
I so enjoyed working with an awesome team, talking to the kids every day, and coaching cheerleaders. I enjoyed my time with APS, while at Beecher Elementary, one of the 1st grade students asked why I was retiring, and I said that I had served my time working and it was time for me to retire. When she said I must be tired of them, I told her no, and that I would never get tired of them. She started crying and said, “Don’t leave, we love you!” I started to tear up also. I have done more than just my job with APS.
Dr. Wilhelmina Jordan
Substitute Certified, Substitute Teachers • 17 years of service to APS
I was known for walking the halls and keeping students in class. One morning, I forgot that all the students were out for teachers work day and kept calling on the radio, asking “Where are the students, is something going on?” All of my fellow colleagues were laughing because I had forgotten the students were at home.
Achieving professional milestones are the benchmarks to which one measures their success, impact and legacy. This year, Atlanta Public Schools was proud to honor 131 employees who crossed the ultimate milestone of retirement, leaving indelible impressions on students, their families and the communities they call home.
In celebration of this occasion, APS hosted a luncheon in their honor on June 7 at the Georgia Aquarium to recognize their tremendous contributions to the district and thank them for their loyal service to Atlanta’s youth. Channel 2 Action News reporter and anchor, Linda Stouffer, emceed The Silver Star Luncheon which featured entertainment by The Headliner Band.
Superintendent Dr. Lisa N. Herring shared words of gratitude on behalf of the employee population expressing the importance of their tenure at APS.
“Whether you labored in the background as teachers, administrators, support staff, bus drivers, or supervisors; you have made a difference in the lives of so many,” Herring said. “And today, your contributions are being lifted high to showcase your unwavering commitment to putting our students and schools first.”
Atlanta Board of Education Chair, Eshé Collins, also commended the retirees for their devotion to the district.
“Your commitment to our mission is why our students are succeeding,” said Collins. “Please know that we can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for APS over your years of service.”
Fondly called Silver Stars, the APS retirees were each recognized by name and gifted a commemorative trophy as well as two tickets to an Atlanta Falcons football game and several other tokens of appreciation.
Major Highlight — Among those in attendance were five standout Silver Stars whose service to APS spanned over 35 years. They are as follows:
- Lorene Irvin retired from Bolton Academy with a remarkable 39 years of service! She is the most seasoned Silver Star for 2023.
- Mary Willoughby has an impressive 38 years of service and retired from Midtown High School.
- Joan Wyman retired from Brandon Elementary and has dedicated 37 years of service to APS.
- Tilford Ellerbee also has been at APS for 37 years and retired from Douglass High School.
- Velma Mathis is the third Silver Star this year to retire from APS with 37 years of service. She ended her career at Hutchinson Elementary.
Notable Mention — Others of note recognized for their trailblazing and legacy-filled contributions to APS included:
- Felisa Ford retired from the Chief Academics Office and was instrumental in bringing the first ever Esports Pipeline Program to APS, as well as the APS Minecraft Student Ambassador Program. Today, the program is global and is run by Ford, along with fellow colleagues for the Minecraft Education Team.
- Yolanda Faison has served her APS career as an educator at Humphries Elementary School and has been blessed to teach the children of many former students, impacting the lives of generations of families.
- Olivia Waller-Hall retired after 32 years of service at APS and belongs to a familial lineage of APS retirees which include her mother who served 42 years, her husband who served 24 years, and several family members, including two sisters, aunts and cousins.
A Touching Moment — Of Dr. Herring’s heartfelt remarks, perhaps the most touching included a quote by a notable American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet.
“I’m reminded of a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson. ‘Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.’ Remember that retirement is a fresh start. It is a chance to make decisions that position you to become a shining light and beacon in new and different places.” – Dr. Lisa N. Herring, Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools
Celebrate With Us — APS family, join us in congratulating our Silver Stars by saying thank you to the educators retiring from your school or the colleagues that have co-labored with you throughout the years.
A photo recap of the 2023 Silver Star Luncheon can be found below.
