As of 3:15pm on Friday February 27, 2026, my friend Jen has retired from teaching and is moving on to her next chapter in life. I am sad for our school as Jen exemplies the resilience and grit I’ve seen in my district over the past two decades. But, I am extremely happy for Jen as her retirement from the ever challenging teaching profession has been well earned. NBTS was lucky to have her many years of service.

What I know:

Jen is a leader.

Jen is a good human.

Jen will be missed AF.

Jen is loyal and forgiving.

Jen has been a confidant.

Jen is a reliable BS detector.

Jen has a great sense of humor.

Jen doesn’t sweat the small stuff.

Jen successfully wears many hats.

Jen has been a LGBTQ ally long before marriage equality. She was instrumental in making me feel comfortable enough to amble out of the closet I inhabited during the first few years at our school. I often feel like a social outsider but Jen’s realm is inclusive. I felt so cared for when she arranged my wedding shower at school. Her kindness and joy on our wedding day was a blessing.

Some of the things we’ve experienced together over the years have included:

Evolving acronyms…… common core…. economic downturns……..duct tape flowers…..sparkle divas……David Cook……swine flu….natural disasters….red shirts/rallying….political dis-ease…….Moms for Bieber……….reply all……………loom bracelets…..sgos……staff changes….. plagues…….online teacher chat locking/muting…………Labubus…..building relationships with Gen Alpha…..the meeting
of Gen X and gentle parenting……

It’s been one heck of a ride.

So yeah, off you go Mrs Jennifer O’Hara Herrick.

I will miss the merging of our names by the littles “Mrs Herryman.”

I will always think of you when I see a bobby pin and don my rain bonnet.

You got this new system update. Giddy up.