Fifteen-year veteran retires

For students and staff at Bartlett High School, summer is the most anticipated time of year, but for disciplinarian Tom Person it will be a long deserved break. After 15 years of being a member of Bartlett High School’s staff, Person is retiring.

After serving at four different high schools as an English teacher, Person came to Bartlett High School.

“My first thought about Bartlett High School was that it was a terrific school,” Person said. “I’ll miss all of the staff and the students.”

Due to a health issue, Mr. Person had to retire. “I think that despite his health issues, Mr. Person has done a great job this year,” English teacher Paula McCalla said.

Person will be missed for his great hardworking and kind manner. “Mr.Person is a wonderful gentleman, and I love his sense of humor and his engaging manner,” said Vice Principal Jane Gatewood. “He is a hardworking person and a delightful individual to be around.”

As an administrator, Person handles discipline issues and bus schedules. As a discipline administrator, “he has counseled with [students] as many times as possible trying to get them to turn themselves around with their problems,” Latin teacher Blount Smith said. “I would say that he has had a good effect to those who will take advice in a positive way.”

Also, Mr. Person has always done his best to help others.

“When he was an English teacher we were rationed paper, so he would stockpile all of his paper,” Smith said. “When he moved into his administrating position, he shared his stockpiled paper, which helped all of the English teachers.”

Although Mr. Person hasn’t entirely planned on what to do during retirement, he jokingly replied when asked what he will be doing, “sleeping in.” Many staff and students will miss Person, and they will always appreciate the terrific job he has done at Bartlett High.