As the new trimester begins and Grand Ledge High School (GLHS) students and staff figure out their new classes, some may notice a familiar face missing. Sada Vandyke-Moore, a longtime Grand Ledge Public Schools staff member and former High School Ceramics instructor, retired from her position at the end of the second trimester.
“She had been talking about it [retirement] last year, she said she was just tired of the school. So we knew it was coming,” senior Isabel Agulair said. “I was actually happy for her, the only reason she was here was because she didn’t want to deal with middle schoolers, and because she was getting closer to retirement. She was ready to leave, so good for her.”
While Vandyke-Moore is gone, students may be even more surprised to see a familiar face in the halls. Doris Thompson, another longtime GLHS art teacher, who retired at the end of last year. When Thompson learned that Vandyke-Moore planned to retire, she informed the office that she would like to return to the building as a substitute teacher, specifically, for Vandyke-Moore’s position for the remainder of the year.
“I had thought well, my area of emphasis in college was ceramics, and I really liked that, but I hadn’t really taught that in many years since I had so many metal and jewelry classes. So I thought it would make more sense and be easier for the students if they had someone who knew all the ropes.” Thompson said, “I know all the different clay processes, how to apply all the different clay processes, and decorated trims, how to load and unload the kiln, so I thought it would make more sense.”
As for Vandyke-Moore, she had moved back to North Carolina and plans to enjoy her retirement and find work in the federal government. “North Carolina is where I call home, being a military brat. I graduated from Lejeune High School and hope to secure a job on the base and stay here. I also have many friends here that I am enjoying reconnecting with,” Vandyke-Moore said.
