Our greatest asset has always been its people – the individuals who breathe life and legacy into every hallway and classroom. We are thrilled to continue a series dedicated to celebrating the iconic figures within each building—the names and faces that serve as the heartbeat of their schools. We asked, “Who embodies the spirit of our education, and whose dedication and contributions should be given the spotlight it deserves?” Ultimately, we went looking for the answer to one simple sentiment: “When I think of ____, I think of ___________.”
The year was 1965.
Astronaut Ed White became the first man to walk in space.
President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act.
Gatorade was first tested in a college football game.
A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered on CBS for the first time.
Mrs. Peggy Wright began her career at Highland Rim School and remains there still today.
A sixty-year career in education is a rarity; to spend those six decades within the walls of a single school is a monument to devotion, and Peggy Wright is devoted to her children and her craft. While Mrs Peggy, as she’s called, spent most of her tenure in the early grades, she now uses her gift as an Interventionist – one of the most integral positions in the building held by one who many believe is the most integral person in the building. She takes the students who need the most support and provides them with her own special support with her small groups, helping them to not only learn foundational skills, but the soft-skills of kindness, respect, generosity, and gentleness.
“When teaching gets the best of us, a quick visit with Mrs. Peggy can change anyone's mindset. Her faith inspires us, her prayers sustain us, and her heart reminds us why we became teachers in the first place.”
That sentiment is echoed by many more:
“To know Ms. Peggy is to love her…She cares for the teachers, staff, and every student, treating everyone like family and always willing to help. Her kindness and dedication make our community stronger.”
She is a beacon, known for her kind smiles and warm hugs, but most of all, for touching lives. There are no bad days with Mrs. Peggy. There are only good ones full of faith, full of hope, and full of love.
A full legacy, a full life, and a full career.
Thank you, Mrs. Peggy, for making a difference in the lives of so many.
Photo: Courtesy of GoodNews Magazine/Brooke Snyder