For Helen Adams, Thursday wasn’t any old last-day-of-the-year-of-school day at the Damascus School.
It was a day to remember: The final chapter in a teaching career dating back to 1955.
Those were the days when Dwight David Eisenhower was in the White House, Ray Kroc was opening his 9th McDonald’s in the country, Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” first hit the radio, the Warsaw Pact was signed and Disneyland opened in California.
Helen Adams started her tenure that year as a kindergarten teacher. Her days in the classroom ended for good Thursday after 55 years.
“Helen is an icon,” said Deborah Kussoff, a family and consumer science teacher in her 17th year at the school. “Her replacement will have big shoes to fill. It will be very difficult without her.”
Adams went out in style, receiving a certificate of congratulations from the state Senate before an assembly in the school gym attended by students, teacher and parents.
“Helen is just priceless,” said Bruce Mackle, field representative for state Sen. Lisa Baker, who presented Adams with the certificate. “She will be majorly missed, tremendously, especially in her hometown of Damascus and for the Wayne Highlands School District.”
The proclamation, signed by Baker, states that “it is with particular pride and gratitude that the Senate of Pennsylvania honors those people who have chosen that noble calling simply known as ‘teacher’ for their life’s work.”
Adams taught kindergarten, first, second, fourth and sixth grades in the Delaware Valley School District in Callicoon, N.Y., from 1955 to 1970. She joined Wayne Highlands as a kindergarten teacher that year, a position she held until her retirement.
Adams was also named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year in 2004.
“Throughout her career, Mrs. Adams’ tenure was driven by a deep commitment to the young people in her classes,” the certificate continues. “In choosing and excelling in this vocation, she made a distinct difference in the lives of her pupils. She demonstrated dedication, care and leadership and masterfully prepared her students for the challenges to come throughout their lives. Mrs. Adams rightly earned deep respect, admiration and gratitude for her tireless commitment to the education of the young people of this Commonwealth.”
Adams, who taught three generations of school children, will have a plaque over her classroom door that states “Celebrating Children — the Helen Adams Room.”
“I have very mixed emotions,” Adams said. “This wasn’t a job; it’s a wonderful way of life.”
Adams, though, said she is going off into the sunset so easily.
She serves as treasurer of the local ambulance corps and is a member of the Wayne County and Equinonk historical societies.
And, as Kussoff said, Adams might make a return appearance at the school.
“We’ll probably have her come back to see us next year,” she said.
For Adams and her pupils, nothing would be finer.
