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Reception to honor retiring educators

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Albany News

The community is invited to the Albany ISD retiree reception in honor of Danita Johnston, Lavelle Vinson, Karen Martin, and Debra Overton to be held next Thursday, May 23, at 2:30 p.m. in the foyer of Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Family, friends, colleagues, and community members are all invited to the come and go reception, according to AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott. 

“We wish them the best in their retirement,” said Scott. “They will truly be missed.”

Danita Johnston

Danita Johnston earned a BBA from Howard Payne University and received her teaching certificate from Wayland Baptist. 

She taught at Throckmorton ISD before coming to Albany, where she taught for 29 years before retiring in December 2018. 

Johnston taught business classes and English at the secondary campus.

Lavelle Vinson

Lavelle Vinson went to high school in Big Spring. She got a BS and her MA in teaching from Angelo State University. 

Vinson has taught at Floydada ISD, Reagan County ISD, United ISD, Motley ISD, and Albany ISD. 

She has been a teacher for 33 years, including 17 at NSES. Vinson spent 12 of those years teaching Albany fourth graders, two teaching both third and fourth grades, and three years as a reading specialist.

Karen Martin

Karen Martin is from Bryan and has taught school for a total of 29 years. 

The third grade teacher got her BS in education from Mary Hardin Baylor and worked at both Lampasas and Anson before coming to work at Albany ISD 15 years ago. 

Debra Overton

Debra Overton is from Tyler. 

She has driven a school bus for 10 years; the first one of those in Breckenridge, and the last nine years for AISD.

“It’s been a pleasure working with each of the retirees,” said Scott. “They have made such a positive impact on the students of Albany ISD. The experience that comes along with their years of service is something that can’t be replaced.”