Long-time Fair Grove Elementary library aide, Teresa Hartman, closes the chapter on her years working at Fair Grove Schools and prepares for her new adventure of retirement at the end of the school year.
Hartman has been a para/aide for the Fair Grove Elementary library for more than a decade, taking care of any office task needed and connecting with the elementary students through the books they are reading.
Fair Grove Elementary librarian, Julie Hampton, appreciates Hartman’s years of service, “She has spent the last 12 years guiding others, just like Charlotte spun her web with care in Charlotte’s Web. Teresa Hartman has been the heart of our library — a quiet, powerful force shaping minds and nurturing curiosity, one book at a time – starting with the first Harry Potter, not picking the fourth one because it’s the biggest!”
Before working in the library, Hartman was a substitute teacher from 1998 to 2008. In 2013, she became a para/aide in the elementary library. Overall, Hartman has worked a total of 17 years and 12 of them have been in the library.
“It first started out convenient for my family as I live in Fair Grove and my three children graduated from Fair Grove. Then, I was moved to the library in 2013 and love taking care of the office duties in the library while Ms. Hampton teaches class,” Hartman explained.
Hartman added that she has enjoyed taking care of the office tasks, because it allows Hampton’s schedule to be more free and open to teach in the library. She shared that Hampton has a special talent for teaching and has been grateful to be able work alongside her, “She has a God-given gift of teaching, and it’s been a blessing to work with her for 10 years in the library.”
While working in the elementary library, Hartman has made connections with the students about the books they are reading and spent time with them each day.
“This is the best job I have ever had. I’ve enjoyed seeing all the students in the elementary school on a weekly basis and talking to them about what they are reading and what they like and don’t like about that book,” Hartman said.
Hartman shared that she and Hampton work very well together and that she will truly miss their time together in the library.
As Hartman moves into retirement, Hampton wishes her all the best, “Though we’ll miss her presence, we know her next chapter will be a good one. May it be filled with long mornings, leisurely books, and unexpected adventures with Grandkids. Her story here may be ending — but oh, what a beautiful story it’s been and oh what an exciting sequel there is coming!”
