THOMASVILLE — The Thomasville Thomas County Retired Educators Association is ready to celebrate Retired Educators Day on November 7 after receiving an annual proclamation from Mayor Greg Hobbs. 

“We’re appreciative to the City Council and that the mayor of Thomasville would recognize us in this manner,” Debra Abram, president of the Thomasville Thomas County Retired Educators Association, said. 

The Georgia holiday was proclaimed by Governor Brian Kemp in 2019. 

Abram said for over 185,000 retired educators, the day of thanks shows that years of service in public education haven’t gone unnoticed.  

“There are 100’s of retired educators in Thomas County,” she noted. “It’s important to take a moment to recognize the importance of the role educators have played in the community.”  

Abram herself served 31 years as a librarian at multiple schools, including Thomas County Middle School.  

Being a part of the Retired Educators Association has allowed her to continue educational service even after retirement. 

The organization was founded around the 1970s and has been recognizing and creating a network for retired educators since.

Over the years, members of the organization support and promote education and local community service initiatives as part of their mission. 

“We still are interested in education and giving updates about innovative programs that are going on in the school systems,” Abram said. 

COVID-19 has affected the usual celebration hosted on Retired Educators Day, but Abrams said she encourages local businesses and schools to post about it to contribute to the day of recognition. 

The annual celebration will not only thank former educators but also bring awareness to the work still being done by so many.  

“Although we’re retired, we’re still a vital part in our community.” Abram said. “We’re still working, just working at a different realm.”