We caught up with Leigh Major, our longtime high school business teacher, who retired a few weeks ago. Here’s what she had to say about her 31-year teaching career at Avon Central Schools! 

Q: When were you first hired at Avon? 

A: I was hired here in 1994-95.

Q: Why did you decide to apply and take a job here?

A: Avon was my ideal choice because I was looking for a small school district with a strong sense of community

Q: Has your role changed since you were first hired? 

A: I started as a business teacher, and a couple of years later, my social studies certification allowed me to teach college-credit sociology and psychology courses.

Q: What has changed during your time here?

A: Technology has changed during my time here. The staff and administration have also changed.

Q:  What’s stayed the same?

A: Education is all about the students and that is the reason we are here. That has stayed the same and my classroom has not changed in the 30 years I have been here.

Q: What do you view as some of your chief accomplishments? 

A: As a teacher, I've consistently tried to cultivate positive student relationships and made it a point to expose them to real-world applications, to bridge the classroom with the real world to make learning as relevant as possible. Building positive relationships with my students and making learning enjoyable have been core to my teaching. I also believe I've learned just as much from them as they have from me. 

Q: Do you have any regrets? 

A: No, I do not have any regrets.

Q: What will you take away from your time here? What did you learn?

A: I learned that Avon students ROCK!!!

Q: What advice would you give to a first-year teacher? 

A: Teachers should establish positive relationships with their students. This involves showing up to events beyond the school day and discussing the things happening outside of class in their lives, like the recent game, a musical, or their work experiences.

Q:  What advice would you give to graduating seniors who will soon be tasked with making key decisions about what career they want to pursue? 

A: I always tell my students a few things. First, failure is a powerful teacher, so don't be afraid of it. Second, it's absolutely fine if you don't know your life's path right now. Finally, pursue what you're passionate about. My own journey is an example: I graduated with a business degree and worked in public relations, but I ultimately realized teaching was my calling. Choosing to become an educator was the best decision I've made, and I've genuinely looked forward to work every single day since. If you don't love what you do, the daily grind will be a challenge, and it will profoundly affect your overall well-being.

Q: Do you have a message to your colleagues who are NOT retiring this year? 

A: You are superheros!!! My wish for you... May your technology always work, may every student turn in their homework, may the copier never jam again, may Fries never get on your computer and may you laugh every single day. However, I am not ready to move to non-elastic waist bands just yet and I will see you all next year!!!