Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
It's the last day of classes, and for Twynetta Howard, it's also the last day of a teaching career that has, by all accounts, been exceptional, inspirational and impactful.
At dismissal, as Howard made her final walk along the front sidewalk of Jefferson County K-12 School, well-wishers gave her roses and hugs. Bus drivers stepped down to offer a rose, colleagues and students clapped and cheered. By the time she reached the end of the line, she held 37 roses, one for each of her years teaching for Jefferson County Schools.
Inside the front office, her family waiting to greet her and escort her to the media center, where the JCS faculty and staff lavished her with a retirement party. Longtime teaching team members gave teary farewells, and School Resource Officer Maurice Arnold told how Ms. Howard had been his teacher in pre-k and also went on to teach his sister and two of his children. Memories flowed from those in the room, sharing how Howard had been such an amazing force of support and encouragement to all. Finally, all raised a class of sparkling water to toast Ms. Howard in appreciation for giving her all.
Howard attended JCS as a youth and has spent her entire 37-year teaching career with the district as well. For 2024-25, she was selected as the Elementary Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year.
Back on May 11, Howard was honored at the meeting of the Jefferson County School Board.
On that occasion, when presenting Howard with a plaque for 37 years of teaching excellence, Superintendent Jackie Pons said, “She carries respect in that building from every person there for the way she leads in the classroom.”
Addressing Howard directly, he said, “We are so honored with your service and for what you've done for the children in Jefferson, for what you've done for 37 years. We're here to thank you. You set the bar pretty high for everybody who teaches at Jefferson. We love you and thank you for your service.”
When the mic was handed to Howard, she said, “I just want to say I'm so grateful for Jefferson County. I received a wonderful education from Jefferson County, and I feel like I got a Harvard education. I say to the young people, if I can do it, you can do it. Don't let anyone tell you anything different. Your education matches anywhere, and you will go far.”
Howard continued, “I want to say to the superintendent, to the school board, to the administration team, to the students, the parents, the community and my co-workers who are like sisters to me, we have worked together so many years, it has been a real blessing. I don't have any regrets about anything.”
Howard acknowledges that some of her teaching years were challenging, but “for the most part you push through and you remember the purpose, and our purpose was to impact lives.” She promised that, after a little bit of rest, she would be back, “just to peek in and peek out and maybe volunteer a little bit.”