Moving from the classroom to the tennis court

By Myra Miller
myra.miller@eunictoday.com

It’s likely that three generations of first-graders in some families passed through Cynthia Tanner’s classroom at Eunice Elementary.
She retired in May after 45 years of teaching, first at St. Edmund Elementary (third grade), then, from 1977 until 2009 (first grade) at Eunice Elementary, before taking other duties for the last five years.
A career that includes perhaps as many as 1,000 children entering the first grade is one that touched many families and extended families.
As post-graduate work qualified her to leave the classroom and move into education administration, Tanner stayed with her first-graders.
“I continued teaching first grade because I Ioved it. Teaching first-graders was very rewarding because of the tremendous growth that happened over the year. They came to you reading very little and by the end of the year they were independently reading a wide variety of books.
“I never really wanted to go into administration because I really enjoy teaching the children.”
Now what? “Reading, travel, fishing and more tennis” she says as she reluctantly consents to talking about retirement and having her picture taken.
Her nature is pretty much the opposite of talking about herself and her achievements, much less wanting a newspaper article, but she relents for a tennis buddy.
Tanner graduated from St. Edmund High School in 1965.
She finished USL in 1969, earning a degree in Elementary Education, and received her Masters of Education from LSU in 1973.
She furthered her education receiving a Masters of Education +30 hours in 1991.
Tanner taught third grade at St. Edmund Elementary from 1969 until January 1977.
She then moved to Eunice Elementary, teaching first grade for 32-1/2-years, from January 1977 until 2009.
During the last five years at Eunice Elementary, Tanner served as a Math Interventionist and Cultural Arts teacher, in charge of SBLC, 504, and Spring Testing.
The School Building Level Committee is a general education committee that reviews and analyzes data to determine the beneficial option for a student.
504 refers to the American Disabilities Act which specifies that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally funded programs or activities.
Math Interventionist - consists of in-school tutoring for students who need extra help.
Tanner says she will miss the interaction with children and faculty and staff at Eunice Elementary.
Tanner looks forward to playing more tennis. She’s been active in the Eunice Ladies Tennis League, where her height makes her an intimidating force across the net.
Add fishing and travel and activities with a family that includes two sisters (Debra and Danelle), two brothers (Donald Jr. and Brian), 10 nieces and nephews and 11 great-nieces and nephews and it sounds like retirement is going to be pretty busy.
Mary Dupre, principal at Eunice Elementary, admires Tanner for her years of dedicated service as an educator. She added, “After working as a co-worker for several years, I am lucky enough to have been able to serve Eunice Elementary as the principal for the past two years with Ms. Tanner on the faculty.
“Ms. Tanner helped to ease my transition from teacher to principal by providing advise on several occasions. She was an educator for 45+ years so I was able to learn from her.
“Ms. Tanner’s exceptional qualities, such as patience, efficiency, and kindness, will certainly be missed. She has proven to be a highly effective teacher while taking on other roles to help maintain excellence at Eunice Elementary School.
“Her planning and organizational skills allowed her to be successful in multiple roles such as a homeroom teacher, math interventionist, Test Coordinator, and discipline through PBIS and recess detention.
“Ms. Tanner is an excellent role model for any educator. She will truly be missed.”