Colfax teacher Sharon Hall wraps up 38-year career

Gazette intern reporter

After teaching for 38 years at Jennings Elementary School, Sharon Hall has retired. Her retirement became effective at the end of this school year.

The Title I teacher – a licensed elementary teacher who works with small groups of children on math and reading skills – earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Washington State University and later her master's degree from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Her teaching experience includes teaching fourth and fifth grade, working as a reading specialist and instructing students whose first language is not English, as well as several years substituting kindergarten through 12th grade.

She started teaching in 1980 when she became a long-term sub and tutor from 1981 to 1986. During her time as a tutor, she taught English to five Vietnamese students which began her journey as an ESL teacher. In 1987, she began teaching half-time as a Chapter I reading teacher, which is now referred to as Title I and helps boost students who struggle in reading among other subjects.

Then, in 1993, Hall began teaching fourth grade full-time at Jennings which she taught for 19 years until she “made a leap of faith” to be the Title I teacher. She was the only Title I teacher at Jennings.

“I am going to miss the relationships I've built with the staff. They're my family,” said Hall. “They're so close that we all have grown our families with each other, and I'm really going to miss them.”

Hall has always known at heart she was going to be a teacher. She was a lifeguard with her older sisters when she was growing up in Colfax and she ended up teaching swimming lessons as well.

“I would spend the summers as a lifeguard with my older sisters, and it just so happened I was good at teaching swim lessons too,” said Hall.

Hall and her husband, Mark, have three children. Angie Tieman lives in Vista, Calif .; Emily Widmark lives in Anacortes and son Sam Hall lives in Spokane. Mark farms at their home near Steptoe. The Halls have 11 grandchildren, and she said it is her time to be a nanny for them. She estimates she has taught 500 or more fourth graders in Colfax.

“My philosophy (on teaching) is from an old friend and former principal Jim Rosenbeck, who was a huge influence in my life. It is that kids will not remember what you taught but always will remember how you made them feel,” said Hall. “And that's what has stuck with me through the years. It's so important to remember that.”