American Education Week will be celebrated all across the country this week, November 13-17, while highlighting of the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through 12th grade. Teachers at all levels of education will be honored and retired teachers also will be recognized for their dedication and longtime service.

“Retired Teachers’ Day” is today but Pike County Elementary School honored its retired teachers a day early by hosting a breakfast on Monday and with a music program presented by the students.

Tracy Arnold, PCES principal, said all teachers deserve recognition for their commitment to providing quality education to all children so that they will have the best opportunities to be successful in life.

“At Pike County Elementary School, our commitment is that every child here will experience success,” she said. “Pike County Elementary School’s retired teachers have contributed greatly to the successes of the students they taught and these teachers are to be congratulated for the roles they played.”

Brundidge Mayor Isabell Boyd attended the Retirement Teachers Day at PCES and presented a proclamation declaring Retirement Teachers Day at PCES.

“Teachers work to open students’ minds to ideas, knowledge and dreams,” Boyd said. “Teachers keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship.”

The mayor said teachers fill many roles – as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators and mentors.

“Teachers continue to influence us long after our school days are only memories,” Boyd said. “That is why we should continue to express our appreciation to our retired teachers during American Education Week along with our active teachers.”