From their own school days to teaching school and now to retirement, Vicki Everett and Kathi Wagner have always been together.
When the two teachers independently decided to retire after this past school year, they notified Assistant Head of School Christy Lusk within days of each other. They said it was not planned, but it should be no surprise, considering how their lives have paralleled and intersected.
Mrs. Everett and Mrs. Wagner have known each other since their own elementary school days, were sorority sisters at UTC, were in each others’ weddings and even started their careers at the same school in South Pittsburg.
Bright School is grateful for their friendship and dedication. “The impact they have had on hundreds of children throughout their careers has been monumental. Without a doubt, the excellence and reputation of Bright School is due to folks like Vicki and Kathi. We are all grateful for their service,” said Head of School O.J. Morgan.
Mrs. Everett began teaching at Bright in 1991, when she started as a preschool assistant. She taught third grade from 1993 to 2010 and fifth grade since then. Her husband, David ’64; daughters, Ashley ’93 and Alexis ’96, and son, David ’98, graduated from Bright. “Bright School has been a part of my life since our oldest daughter started kindergarten in 1985. When our youngest started kindergarten in 1991, I traded my parent volunteer hat in for a paid position as a preschool teacher,” Mrs. Everett said. “Over the past 37 years, Bright School, it's wonderful families and my colleagues have meant more than I can express. Thank you all for the love and the memories.”
Mrs. Wagner, known as Mrs. Kathi to her students, started teaching at Bright in 1996 and has been in pre-kindergarten her entire tenure. Her son, David ’99, and daughter, Laura ’02, graduated from Bright. “Thank you to the Bright School family for all the love and support you have shown me during the last 21 years. It is said that teachers change lives, but my precious students have also changed mine – for the better,” she said. “What feels like the end is often the beginning, so I’m off to see what’s in store! I will miss those sweet smiles that greeted me each morning! Bright School will always have a special place in my heart.”
The school held a joint (of course!) retirement reception for both teachers this spring. At Open House, Mrs. Wagner’s entire family surprised her by being present to see her receive the Michael G. Murphy Award, which is voted on by faculty and given to recognize service and stewardship to the school. At graduation, the fifth graders concluded the ceremony by singing Green Day’s Time of Your Life in Mrs. Everett’s honor.
