For Carr-Reardon, The End Of A Long Career

Anne Marie Carr-Reardon once considered pursuing a career in the legal field, but thankfully for Waltham students, she went into education here in the city.

Next year, however, those students won’t see Carr-Reardon in the halls of their schools. Instead, Carr-Reardon, a Newton resident, will be enjoying her retirement.

After spending her entire 37-year education career in the Waltham Public Schools system, Carr-Reardon, who has served as the interim superintendent for the past year, left her Waltham High School office for the last time on Friday, July 22.

Officially, as the assistant superintendent for administration, but for the past year she has served as the interim superintendent, while continuing her regular duties. Dr. Susan Nicholson has taken over as the permanent superintendent.

STARTING A TEACHING CAREER

Carr-Reardon started her teaching career in Waltham in 1974, but not before considering a legal career, she said during an interview in her office last week. She, however, never seriously pursued it and instead landed a job as physical education teacher at the former Bright School and Banks School, and eventually rose to become the Title 1 Director (which helps low-income students) and then her current position. She said that her love of athletics and wanting to teach led her to her first job.

“I was very much engaged in the teaching, I enjoyed that,” she said. “It was certainly an honorable profession.”

Knowing she could impact a child’s life and help them improve their future was just one of the reasons she has enjoyed her long career.

“It has that ability to transform a child,” she said.

Carr-Reardon said she also loved working hand in hand with everybody from custodians, cafeteria workers to teachers and coaches.

“They are amazing,” she said. “I will miss my connections with the people here.”

BAD PARTS OF CAREER

Carr-Reardon acknowledged that as with any job, there were parts of hers that she did not enjoy. “The personnel issues are challenging. They are never fun to deal with,” she said.

Coming off a brutal winter of that forced the cancellation of several school days, Carr-Reardon said she will not miss waking at 3 a.m. to decide whether to cancel school.

“It will be nice to have a snow day [this coming winter],” Carr-Reardon said as she chuckled.

RETIREMENT

With her future wide open, Carr-Reardon said she has been too busy to give much thought to how she will spend her retirement days. Carr-Reardon will have at least one thing to keep her busy — assigning referees to officiate volleyball games. While most people may not know, Carr-Reardon works with many leagues assigning refs to various games, something she greatly enjoys.
Carr-Reardon could return to education in some capacity. She acknowledged that she has fielded calls to apply for other jobs in education, but would not say where. She was humbled by the requests.

“It was just a nice experience,” she said.

While she has not made any decisions, anything is possible, she said.

“I’m open to opportunities that have been mentioned,” she said.

When the new school year starts later this year, the district one less smiling face will be in the halls of Waltham schools.

“I have enjoyed my 37 years,” Carr-Reardon said.