Launch the media gallery 1 playerRetirement Spotlight #4
Please join me in honoring and thanking our next Retirement Spotlight, Mrs. Shaila Ayer. Mrs. Ayer has served the West Central School District as our School Psychologist for the last four years. We asked each of our retirees a few questions. Below is Mrs. Ayer's story:
1) Tell us about your educational and career background such as where you received your degree, where you taught, what you taught and when.
"After graduating from Union High School in 1984, I went to Northeast Missouri State University (now called Truman). From there, I went to Carl Sandburg College and was planning on getting a degree in Child Development. Those credits transferred to WIU as “Home Economics” credits, so my minor is in Home Economics, although I’m only “fair” in the areas of cooking and sewing! My major was in psychology.
With a Bachelor’s degree in psych, I worked some temp jobs in Peoria, then landed a position with CWTC, working with developmentally disabled adults in a group home setting. Then I was hired on at Guardian Angel, working with abused girls in a residential setting.
I decided to go back to school to get my degree in School Psychology. I was accepted into the program and began my career in several districts: Hamilton, Warsaw, Nauvoo-Colusa, and Dallas City. I served Southeastern on contract in the evenings and weekends.
Lewistown hired me the following year, and I was there for 12 years. I’ve been all over West Central Illinois since then, and I came back to where I started. The name of the school is different, but a lot of the same people are still here. This will be my 5th year at West Central."
2) Now that you are at the end of your educational career, what advice would you give to a new educator entering the field?
"Write down the things that have made you laugh. (You’ll need these memories!)
Be understanding and forgive others’ mistakes. And don’t forget you are included in that statement. Growth happens from what we learn after making mistakes. With that in mind, come to work every day with the intent to do better than you did the day before. When we know better, we do better. Never stop learning.
Also, be prepared for changes. Change is certain. Read “Who Moved My Cheese.”"
3) What were some highlights or special moments from your career?
"I have run across some of the most amazing educators in every school I’ve been at over the years. I feel blessed to have known them and learned from them.
I’ve received a handful of really thankful and encouraging letters from parents and teachers over the years that have really touched my heart."
4) What do you plan to do in retirement?
"In the first year of retirement, I plan to focus on my health, spending time with family, writing, and doing artsy things. There are some online classes that I have in queue. After my husband retires next year, we will move to Mississippi, and I plan to spend a lot of time in the ocean! I look forward to discovering what else God has in store for us."
Thank you, Mrs. Ayer, for your service and dedication to the West Central School District! Enjoy the next couple months and a well deserved retirement! You will be missed!
