Dillard ends teaching career and retires from Rainbow

Anita Dillard enjoys a playful moment with her grandson, Alex Dillard. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – After a long career as an educator, Anita Dillard has retired from Rainbow Elementary School.

For many years, Dillard taught first- and third-grade classes with Madison County Schools and Madison City Schools. She worked as Rainbow’s reading coach for four years and most recently taught third-graders.

“My second-grade teacher made an impression on me,” Dillard said. “I remember her reading out loud to the class, and I remember how much I enjoyed that. I actually had contact with her about four years ago. She remembered me!”

For the employee who fills Dillard’s slot, she recommends “to work collaboratively with his/her third-grade team. One can learn a lot from other teachers.” In addition, the recruit should remember to make time for herself or himself and family. “Teaching can be a life-consuming job.”

Dillard earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education at Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) and master’s degrees from Alabama A & M University in both early childhood education and reading.

Early in her career, Dillard taught in Moscow, Tenn. with the Memphis City Schools system. She also started the Mother’s Day Out and preschool program at Asbury United Methodist Church.

Her husband Richard retired from Arrow Electronics and now works as a school bus driver. “My two children are grown and both live in Nashville. They have blessed me with two granddaughters (and one more on the way) and two grandsons,” she said.

Among her retirement goals, Dillard plans to go camping much more often and spend lots of time with her grandchildren.