PHOTO BY LISA CARNLEY Ginger Jones shows some of the 1950s books students learned to read with, compared to today's brightly colored reader. Mrs. Jones, whose passion is reading, has a large collection of readers and primers she will take with her when she retires. I n today's mobile society where people change jobs as quickly as

they change hairstyles, Ginger Jones is an over-achiever.

And the students she has taught over the last four decades have been the beneficiaries.

A Kline Whitis Elementary second-grade teacher, Mrs. Jones is set to retire at the end of this school year after 40 years of teaching -- with 31 of those in Lampasas.

The Lake Victor native hasn't strayed too far from home, and she finds herself looking forward to all the things her friends have told her she can do now, even though she still has mixed emotions about leaving.

Mrs. Jones' family moved to Amarillo when she was in high school, and she attended Amarillo College before heading to Sul Ross in Alpine where she earned a social studies degree with a secondary teaching certification.

"When I sent letters of application to high schools while looking to teach history, I was told, 'We save our history jobs for coaches.'"

So when she was offered a third-grade teaching position in Needville, she accepted, and returned to school to earn an elementary teacher's certificate.

After six years in Needville, Mrs. Jones moved to Cherokee where she began an interesting three-year stint at the Class A (six-man football) district. "I think it was even smaller than Lometa," she said of Cherokee.

Mrs. Jones taught a variety of subjects. "I would teach senior English, then a typing class, followed by seventh-grade history and then fourth-grade reading. I really loved being able to teach so many different subjects. It made the days very interesting."

Mrs. Jones mentioned that at Cherokee, she taught Rudy Garza, who works in the Lampasas ISD maintenance department.

When the retiring teacher came to Lampasas seeking a job, there weren't any openings. She worked as a substitute teacher before taking a half-year post as a kindergarten teacher.

She then taught first- and second-grade reading classes at the former Lampasas Primary School campus.

When her son went into third grade, Mrs. Jones began her tenure as a second-grade teacher -- 25 years ago.

Mrs. Jones credits a third-grade teacher in Burnet for instilling in her the desire to teach. "I just loved her, and we did such fun projects. She made me want to be a teacher just like her."

When asked how teaching has changed over the years, Mrs. Jones noted that technology has really advanced. Though initially fearful of the advancements, Mrs. Jones said she soon realized the capabilities of new technology and how it can make a person's life easier. "And I really appreciate it."

While many teachers retire after 20 or 30 years in the classroom, Mrs. Jones said the time didn't feel right, until now. "I felt like I always had to have something to do -- something to get up for in the morning and to keep me occupied," she said.

"And I still liked teaching and was still glad to be there every day. I am thankful for the opportunities I had, and I wouldn't trade any of it. I can't think of anything else I'd rather have done for 40 years."

But the time to leave is now, she said. "I just knew it was right."

With a new campus opening in the east end of the county and teachers being shifted among three elementary-level schools, Mrs. Jones said she wasn't ready for those kinds of changes.

"I taught 40 years, and that's a long time. I'm not good with change, and there would be some changes I know I wouldn't be ready to face -- maybe changing schools and grades. I wasn't prepared to do that. I am pretty set in my ways," she said.

"Vicki Emerson (retired teacher) told me that when it was time to retire I would know it. And it was time."

But like Mrs. Emerson who returns to school to substitute, Mrs. Jones said that is something she would like to do. "Just not as many days a week as Vicki does," she laughed.

The retiree said she looks forward to being able to decide whether she wants to teach when she is called to substitute. "I can do it if I want, and I don't have to if I don't want to. When they call me I'm going to ask if they have cafeteria duty, and if they do, I'll tell them I can't come that day."

Some of her time already has been planned with trips scheduled, including a vacation to Savannah, Ga., and to Adel, Ore., to see her son's family. "I am looking forward to spending a little more time with them. I don't get to see them as often as I'd like, and I look forward to being more involved in their lives (grandchildren Taylor, 5, and Tipton, 3).

In addition to her son, Mrs. Jones has a daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Bobby Carroll, and two grandchildren: Lane, 10, and Gema, 2.

Though retirement looks quite palatable right now, Mrs. Jones reflected on what she will miss after the end of this school year.

"I will miss seeing all the kids. Second grade is a good age. Kids still are excited about learning, and I have been excited about teaching them. I like to be sure my kids are happy in the morning and prepared for a good day. I enjoy spending the whole day with the same group of kids. You establish good, close relationships that way."

Mrs. Jones said one of the most enjoyable parts of her day is sitting in her rocking chair or recliner and reading to her students. "We have 90 minutes of reading every day, and I enjoy that as much as my kids do. Reading is so important because everything is based on it."

The retiring teacher also said she will miss the interaction with classroom teachers and the staff at Kline Whitis. "I have been with them for so long, and we are like one, big family. We help each other out when someone needs something, or when something is wrong, and we cheer each other on when something good happens. We just support each other.

"I have made such dear friends, and it will be so hard to leave them. But all my friends are retired, and they want me to join them. I think I will have plenty to keep me busy."

Mrs. Jones said her yard needs attention, and she enjoys taking care of flowers and a vegetable garden. She also looks forward to spending time with her father and taking other trips to Branson, Mo., and Alpine and the Big Bend area.

Her dream vacation: "Going to Ireland. I've always wanted to go there. It is just so beautiful."

Until that comes to fruition, she believes there will be plenty to occupy her time.

Then again, there is always substitute teaching -- as long as she doesn't have to do lunchroom duty.