Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010

Schools salute Living Legends

The Johnston County school system has named its latest Living Legends. They are Anne Louise Cogdell, Edith Brown Creech and Worley Harr Keene.

A Living Legend "cares more than others think is wise; risks more than others think is safe; dreams more than others think is practical; expects more than others think is possible; succeeds far more than peers can imagine; and gives freely from the heart every day ... in service to the people."

Cogdell taught for 38 years at Four Oaks Elementary School, primarily third grade. The Smithfield native and graduate of Fayetteville State University taught her students through conventional means but also through performing arts, organizing both a drama club and a rhythm band. Since retiring in 1993, Cogdell has remained active in the community. She is a member of St. Peter's Church of Christ, a volunteer with Johnston County Contact and an information-desk worker at the courthouse in Smithfield.

A divorcee, Cogdell has one daughter and two grandchildren. Her message to new teachers is: "Always teach up, not down. Challenge all students. Expect excellence."

Creech grew up in the Glendale community, graduating from East Carolina College in 1960. She spent the first two years of her career teaching first grade in Clayton and Wilson. In 1962, she went to teach first-graders at Princeton School, where she spent the next 46 years before retiring in 2008. "I really enjoyed it - Princeton was a great place to be," she said.

The widow of Joseph L. Creech Jr., Creech was a member of the N.C. Education Association and Johnston County Education Association. She has a son, two granddaughters and one great-grandchild. Her message to new teachers is: "Teachers play a key role in the future of our world. It is important to have a love for your students and help them reach their potential."

Keene was a science teacher who also taught the science of living a good life. After serving in the Air Force, he earned his bachelor's degree from Atlantic Christian College, now Barton College, and later received a graduate degree in administration from East Carolina University. His career in education spanned 34 years as a teacher and an administrator at Four Oaks School and South Johnston High School. He still appreciates his former students who tell him what a difference he made in their lives.

Keene was a Johnston County Teacher of the Year, and he earned statewide recognition as a chemistry teacher. Upon wedding his wife, Mary S. Keene, he left administration to return to the classroom. He wanted to be able to leave school each day with his bride, who was also teaching at South Johnston.

Keene tells new teachers, "To be truly effective, teachers must enjoy the subject they teach and must be able to pass some of that enthusiasm on to their students."