Half a century after stepping into their first classrooms, a group of Carman Elementary School teachers are still stepping into each other’s lives.
In 1975, seven young women began their teaching careers in Carman. They soon discovered that the best way to survive those early years was together. What started as Wednesday night suppers in the 1970s has turned into a 50-year friendship marked by laughter, shared milestones and plenty of classroom stories.
“In Carman — especially during the winter — there wasn’t a lot to do. So, we decided we would all get together and bond over a delicious meal,” said Janet Scott. “Some other teachers came and went to these nights, but they never stayed in touch the way we did.”
Over the decades, the women have celebrated marriages, welcomed children and grandchildren, and marked their retirements. Though some have moved away, they reconnected during the pandemic and made an effort to gather annually.
On Sept. 6, the original group — now six after losing one member a few years ago — reunited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their teaching careers. They shared lunch and dinner at local restaurants, while their husbands joined for a round of golf. It was the first time in years the entire group had been together.
“As you get older, you cherish these people you knew back when you were younger,” Scott said. “Even five minutes of conversation takes you back. It’s special when you are with people you have known a long time — especially after 50 years.”
Like in the old days, talk turned to school life. But instead of swapping lesson plans, they reflected on how much teaching has changed — from chalkboards to smartboards, from handwritten report cards to digital records.
“It’s special to us having remained in touch after all these years,” Scott said. “We are able to talk about people we knew, remember those who have passed, share a laugh about things students did and wonder where they are today.”
The women estimate they’ve taught thousands of Carman students across their combined careers, spanning several generations of families. For many, former pupils are now parents or even grandparents themselves.
“This year felt different,” Scott added. “We got together like it was going to be the last. In the coming years, we don’t know how many more chances we’ll have. We did a lot of laughing, and I’m fortunate for the friendships — and memories — we’ve made.”
