Principals, supervisors, teachers, bus drivers among 230 retiring from PW Schools

Members of the School Board and Superintendent Steve Walts were among administrators and colleagues congratulating 230 retirees at a ceremony at the Kelly Leadership Center. “It is our great loss,” Walts told retirees. “You will be hard to replace.”

Hylton High School seniors Colin Bushweller and Sara Howell spoke on behalf of students of PWCS. They expressed their gratitude to retirees for their dedication to education. “You have proven that kindness and the passion to serve are indeed alive and well,” Howell said.

Both shared life lessons learned from their teachers, including the importance of imagination, perseverance, empathy, and ​having faith in themselves.

After 34 years as an educator with Prince William County Public Schools, with 17 as principal of Sudley Elementary School, Pamela Moody is “on a roller coaster of emotions” as she prepares to retire.

She has nearly spent her lifetime in PWCS, getting all her primary and secondary education here, graduating from Stonewall Jackson High School. She began her career as a special educator at New Dominion and was a social worker in the Office of Special Education prior to becoming an assistant principal and principal.

Like many eligible retirees, Moody will participate in the School Division’s Retirement Opportunity Program, working on a limited schedule in other administrative roles for a number of years that varies from retiree to retiree. “I also plan to go back to my roots,” she says, “working part time supporting students in or in need of Special Education services.”

She earned three degrees from Virginia Tech, including her doctorate in the field of special education.

Spending more time with family is the most-repeated benefit of this major life transition, but it’s a change that will take some getting used to.

Potomac View Principal Susan Porter will also participate in the Retirement Opportunity Program, volunteer, and continue to travel. “I am so busy finishing out the year that I haven’t really fleshed out my plans yet,” says Porter.

Fred Milbert, supervisor of Health, PE, Driver Education, JROTC, and Athletics, is among those employees who have completed or are approaching 40 years with PWCS. “It’s been interesting,” Milbert says, in his typically understated, thoughtful way. “There are a whole lot of people I’ll miss, but the time commitment I will not.”

In each of the areas Milbert supervises, he leaves a legacy of progress that has had a profound effect on the education and health of students. Humble by nature, Milbert is the last to take personal credit, but those who know of his contributions will say he was the driving force behind numerous programs; all would credit his leadership.

These include the PWCS Wellness Plan; Action-Based Learning in elementary schools; mandatory parent-student training in Driver Education; expansion of JROTC from four to nine schools; concussion awareness training for parents, athletic trainers, and teachers; development of state legislation on concussion awareness, and much more.

Prior to his current role, Milbert became a legend as coach of the Gar-Field High School Girls champion basketball team, winning multiple Coach of the Year awards at the local, state, and national levels.

Among those with long careers in the School Division is school bus attendant Benda Dye, who has worked for more than 46 years. Bus drivers Priscilla Corbin and Janice Rolley have worked more than 40 years.

Ann Davis, sixth-grade teacher at Marsteller Middle School, has devoted 40 years; and Nancy Burns, social studies teacher at Stonewall Middle School, is retiring after 42 years.

A sincere ‘THANK YOU’ to these remarkable, energetic, and caring individuals, and to all retirees. Very best wishes on your retirement.