By Debbie Adams
Several teachers and staff members are retiring from Roanoke County Public Schools in the
Vinton area at the end of this school year. They will be sorely missed by students, fellow
teachers, and their administrators.
Business teacher Jayne Atkins has taught Economics and Personal Finance, Accounting, and
Cybersecurity for Roanoke County Public Schools for nine years. During that time she taught at
William Byrd High School and traveled to Hidden Valley High School, Cave Spring Middle, and
Glenvar High School.
“It was a privilege to have the opportunity to teach the students at RCPS,” Atkins said. “My
favorite part of the job was working with the students and helping them to succeed. I am looking
forward to spending time with my family and catching up on a few home projects!”
Jill Morris is retiring from William Byrd High.
“Retirement is bittersweet for me,” Morris says. “I was hired by Roanoke County Schools in
1987 as a Marketing teacher. I have been at WBHS for 38 years teaching every Marketing course
we offer, Teachers for Tomorrow and have been a DECA Advisor. I have planned and attended
many trips with students including NYC, NBA and NFL games, DECA State and National
Competitions and more.
“I have taught multiple generations of families while at Byrd, taught through three
renovations/additions, and survived four principal changes.
“Eight years ago, I attained my real estate license with the aspiration to teach Real Estate
Marketing. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with clients, including teachers and former
students, in buying and/or selling their homes. I plan to continue to work in real estate in my
retirement, travel, and spend time with my family. I will miss building those relationships with
students the most in my retirement. I know some say working in education is difficult, and it can
be, but it is also so rewarding. It is all about the perspective you take.”
Brian Butler is retiring from his position as a science teacher at WBHS.
“My first year out of Virginia Tech, I worked for RCPS as a long-term sub at Northside Middle
School. I came back to education many years later and have been teaching Earth Science,
Biology, and Ecology at William Byrd for 19 years. This was a second career for me.
As for his future plans, “No plans set in stone at this time. I have committed to subbing for RCPS
for the next five years, but I may get bored and look for something else to do full-time.
“I am a Byrd grad myself, so it was nice to be able to come back and be a part of its history. I
am grateful to have worked with so many outstanding educators here (including many that I had
as a teacher when I was a student). I have enjoyed working with all the students in my classes
and those I coached in track and girls basketball. I consider myself blessed to have had a small
part in teaching so many amazing young ladies and gentlemen from a community that means so
much to me. I will miss the daily interactions with all these young adults—I can honestly say
there has rarely been a dull moment in life as a teacher.”
Bill Hughes is retiring from W.E. Cundiff Elementary.
“I have had the privilege of being the Physical Education Specialist for W.E. Cundiff Elementary
for the past 19 years for Roanoke County Public Schools.
“Retirement will allow me the opportunity to continue my outside interests (reading, fitness, and
traveling) along with discovering new ones.
“I’ll have good memories of the energy of the students, the excitement and fun as they
participated in the various activities and the pure joy of accomplishing something for the first
time like hula hooping, jumping rope, juggling or making a basket at the big basket.
“Seeing the students that are not already physically capable persist and make the effort to keep
trying until they succeed, really stand out as highlights of my teaching career.”
Rachel Reedy is retiring from W.E. Cundiff Elementary.
“I have been an instructional assistant at W.E. Cundiff for 10 years and with Roanoke County
Schools for 14 years. I am also retired from Norfolk Southern with 22 years of service. I am the
mother of two sons and a daughter, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. I thank the
Lord for the honor of every student I have worked with at Roanoke County Public Schools. I
also have had the special honor of working for Ashley McCallum and Heather Everhart.”
Elaine Lane is retiring from her position as a Title I reading instructional assistant. She worked
at Mount Pleasant Elementary for seven years and for 14 years at W.E. Cundiff teaching reading
part-time. Her future plans are “spending time with my grandson.”
Karen Terrell is retiring from her position as Special Education coordinator at Mount Pleasant
Elementary.
Melissa Caston is retiring from her position as a Special Education teacher at Mount Pleasant. She has been teaching at Mount Pleasant for 28 years.
Ethel Ward is retiring from Bonsack Elementary where she has worked as an instructional
assistant.
“I’ve been with Roanoke County Public Schools for 20 years,” Ward says. “I worked at
Burlington Elementary from 2004-2013 and Bonsack Elementary from 2014-2025. I've been a
Special Education instructional assistant at both schools, working in all grade levels, K-5. I have
loved working with the kids and plan to substitute. I look forward also to camping, coloring, and
time with my husband and dogs.”
Retiring educators featured in the May 15 Vinton Messenger were Ben Watts (WBMS), Robin
Ard (W.E. Cundiff), Vicki Henschel (W.E. Cundiff), Tracy Broughman (Mount Pleasant), and
Melissa Peroulas (Bonsack).
