An elementary decision

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT BEACH -- This year, Newport Elementary School lost not one but

two teachers to the allure of travel, family and relaxation.

Jan Webb and Phyllis Marr, who have helped shape many a young mind in

Newport-Mesa, each decided to trade in her chalk and textbooks for late

mornings and leisurely lunches -- things not afforded to those in the

teaching profession.

After more than 20 years as a learning resource specialist in the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Webb has retired to travel the East

Coast with her husband, Don.

“I’m retiring because I’m ready to have more free time with my family and

friends and do the things I want to do -- traveling, pursue hobbies and

get back in shape,” Webb said. “I wanted to quit teaching before I was

too tired to enjoy it all -- I think it’s time.”

As a resource specialist, Webb has worked closely with small groups of

students with special learning needs, making leaving all the more

heart-wrenching, she said.

“I’m going to miss the kids big time,” she said. “The paperwork I won’t

miss at all.”

Newport Elementary Principal Denise Knutsen said she will miss Webb’s

quiet, calming and gentle way with people, especially students.

“She’s very quiet and extremely organized and competent -- one of those

teachers you just know will get the job done,” Knutsen said. “She was

very gentle with children. She put them at ease. You could always count

on her to calm kids down just with her tone of voice.”

Marr’s special talent was making her classroom come alive, Knutsen said.

A fourth-grade teacher who only returned to teaching four years ago after

raising her family, Marr has also decided to leave the classroom.

“I’m kind of burned out,” she said. “I’m 60 and they’re 10-hour days.

There are a few older teachers, but I really don’t think you can teach

without putting in a 10-hour day.”

Not quite ready to leave it all behind, however, Marr has already made

arraignments with several teachers to substitute from time to time.

“It’ll be fun,” she said. “I know all the children and the teachers.”

Her return, no matter how brief, is something the whole school will look

forward to, Knutsen said.