Joy Tharpe is teaching her second generation of students; PTO plans potluck party May 11
After dedicating more than 40 years to education at the Alexander Valley School, fourth grade teacher Joy Tharpe is moving on, but not before the community throws her a goodbye potluck.
On Saturday, May 11, the Alexander Valley School Parent Teacher Organization is inviting anyone who wants to celebrate Tharpe, known to many as Mrs. T, to meet at the school baseball field for a baseball game for all ages and a community potluck.
“She has been teaching at the same school for 43 years and my older sister was in her first class and back when I was there we would do baseball potlucks where all the families would come so that is what Joy said she wanted to do for her retirement,” said Charlie Johnson, who is the PTO president and organizer of the event. Johnson was also in Tharpe’s fourth grade class and his daughter is now in her class.
Tharpe started her career in 1970 when the Alexander Valley School served mainly students in the valley and she said that over the years it has grown to incorporate students from all the surrounding areas. She remembers when the area was full of prunes and students stayed home from school during picking season to help their families harvest.
She said the best part about being a teacher all these years has been the daily contact with kids and she hopes that they look back and remember things that they learned from her in fourth grade. As she finishes up the year she said she is realizing that she is doing a lot of things for the last time and that leaving will take some adjusting.
“I have been here a long time and it’s time for somebody else to come in but I think it will take a year to adjust.” Tharpe said. “I am currently working on second-generation students and there are probably 10 or 15 that I am now teaching their kids.”
Co-workers and colleagues said that they will always remember Tharpe at the forefront of projects and programs that helped her students and that she will be missed.
“She is an institution here at Alexander Valley School and she has quietly been an incredible influence on what we do here, from our high education standards, to special activities including our food drive and secret Santa for students that don’t have a lot to have a good holiday. Think over 43 years year the number of students that are better off after having her as a teacher,” said AVS Principal Bob Raines.
Joy Tharpe’s Retirement Baseball Potluck will be held at Alexander Valley School on Saturday, May 11, at 1 p.m. The baseball game will kick off the celebration with a potluck and speeches to follow.
“We would like to get as many alumni as possible and PTO will be there barbequing as part of the meal so we would like people to RSVP, and the more people we can get out to celebrate the better,” said Johnson.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck item, chairs and shade tents and baseball equipment. To RSVP email, jo*********@ya***.com with the number of attendees, names, school year and potluck item.
“This is what Mrs. T has asked for and its an opportunity to come out and enjoy the setting and a way to say thank you to an amazing teacher who has decided to move on to the next phase of her life,” Raines said.
