Of course someone who has spent the majority of their working life teaching at Greensboro Day School would drive a car with a license plate that says, “GDS 24-7!” That is dedication, passion, and a true love for one’s career. Ms. Beverly Edwards started teaching at Greensboro Day School in 1986 as a 3rd grade teacher and has been doing it ever since. Having been at GDS for 2/3 of the school’s existence, Ms. Edwards has really seen it all! Ms. Edwards started her teaching career in 1974 as a 1st grade teacher at Helena Elementary in Person Country. In 1976, she became an academically gifted resource specialist for eight schools in the Greensboro Public School System. In 1986, Ms. Edwards found her home when she ventured over to Lawndale Drive and joined Bengal Nation. During her time at GDS, Ms. Edwards has served the school in many ways. She has been the faculty representative on the Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism Steering Committee and has helped develop a multicultural checklist that faculty use when setting annual goals. Recently, she also selected a variety of posters to adorn our hallways featuring historical figures of different genders, faiths, and cultures. She continues to share her experiences in Africa with 3rd grade students, and she is helping to fine-tune the 3rd grade math curriculum. She supported the new Mandarin teacher as she learned the school, the students, and the English language - no rest for the weary! Ms. Edwards was recognized with the Brooks Sabbatical in 2006. Established in 1996 by the late Dr. Jean Brooks, the Brooks Sabbatical encourages writing, research and unique cultural experiences for faculty, and covers the cost of these experiences. For her Brooks Sabbatical, Ms. Edwards traveled to Kenya and Tanzania. This experience allowed her to describe in vivid detail the sights and sounds of the African savannah to 3rd grade students. She makes these cultures come alive for students with the objects and pictures she shares each year. When asked about the best part of teaching at GDS, Ms. Edwards responded, “I have enjoyed teaching children from the same families. Once I ‘join’ a family as the teacher of their child, I like knowing that same family over a period of years as I teach the siblings. After one or two of the kids have come my way, we become friends. Secondly, I tell everyone that asks me about teaching at GDS that we are a great big family. I am invited to confirmations, weddings, baby showers, recitals, athletic events, plays, college graduations, and dinners with the families. I have even vacationed with GDS families. I know my students well into their adult years. It is marvelous when a former student stops by my classroom to visit, especially when they bring their own children to meet me.” Mrs. Gwen Lowe, 3rd grade teacher, who taught with Ms. Edwards for twelve years, said, “When I think of where my real education of how to be a teacher came from, it didn’t necessarily come from my school … it came from Beverly. She taught me how to be passionate, to truly care and how to teach from the heart. There is no better person to learn from than Beverly.” In 2013, Mrs. Edwards was recognized with the Hendrix Award. This award was established and named in 1986 for former Headmaster Jim Hendrix to honor one teacher annually who exemplifies the highest standards of teaching and professionalism. One nominator said of Ms. Edward’s energy, “There isn’t a dial, only an on/off switch. Her enthusiasm for teaching is always on and she loves those GDS Bengals!” Edwards’ passion, dedication, energy and marvelous sense of humor are some of the many traits that make her truly special. While Ms. Edwards has been recognized in the classroom over the years, there is still so much more to her life outside the classroom. She is a voracious reader. The walls in her home are lined with books from ceiling to floor. Among her favorites are anything science fiction, the latest New York Times best seller, to the most recent research on ADHD. She loves to go to the movies and has waited in long lines for the newest premier of Star Wars. She is a Star Wars, Harry Potter and Hunger Games aficionado. In fact, the name plate on her classroom door says, ‘Jedi Master’! Ms. Edwards’ collections include pottery from her many travels out west and impeccably wooden carved artifacts and jewelry from her trip to Africa. She continues to share her experiences from these trips with the students and presents them in such a way that the students feel they are traveling there too. Ms. Edwards is hands down the best storyteller we know. She can be hilarious and poignant at the same time. If you ever want to hear a great story, ask her to tell you about the time she slept an entire night in a graveyard while backpacking in Europe during the summer of 1975! Students routinely come back to visit Ms. Edwards in her classroom. They feel her genuine care for them deeply, and know she offers a safe place to land. Ms. Edwards will be missed in the Lower School and around the GDS campus, however, when she is officially ‘retired’ next year, she will probably be busier than ever tutoring, subbing and being our ‘triage teacher’ as she has been affectionately called this year. t “GDS 24-7”: Ms. Beverly Edwards to retire after 31 years at GDS GDS Magazine | 37