Briarcrest Christian School teacher retiring after 51 years
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For more than 50 years, one Briarcrest Christian School teacher has walked the hallways teaching some of our youngest and brightest minds. After a long career in education, he’s finally retiring.
Mr. Bob Shirey started his career in education as one of the first teachers in the Briarcrest Christian School System. He has walked the hallways and taught in the classrooms there since it opened in 1973.
“I have no reason to leave because the lord put me here,” Shirey said. “And to be a part of that, I just haven’t been able to give it up.”
He started his career as a fourth-grade teacher before moving to fifth where he’s remained for decades.
Shirey says he’s seen it all when it comes to education including the transition into the digital age, but just like he was there for his students, they were also there for him.
“They are good teachers. I learn a lot from them, and they’ll come up and say ‘Mr. Shirey are you having some problem with this?'” he said. “I hope that I can be a role model for the kids that I have,” Shirey says.
Mr. Bob Shirey Mr. Bob Shirey Mr. Bob Shirey in class
Shirey says the support of the school administration and his colleagues as well as the love for the hundreds of kids that he’s taught have kept him motivated all these years.
Some of his former students are now teachers and Shirey says he is teaching their children as well.
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After five decades of service, Shirey’s tenure is finally coming to an end as he is set to retire at the end of the school year.
WREG asked him what his plans are for retirement, and with his infectious smile he said, “I don’t know. That’s why it’s so hard to let go. I’ve always wanted to stay in the classroom. I’ve been in the classroom those 51 years.”
However, Shirey does say he plans on spending his free time with his wife and grandchildren.
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