Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon losing half century of experience with retirement of Reece, Thrasher

Together, they represent more than a half century of education in the Gurdon School System. Linda Thrasher, who has taught third grade for 39 years, and Coach Ed Reece, who has taught in Gurdon for 19 years, will retire at the end of this school year.

Thrasher said she taught one year at Harmony Grove before coming to Gurdon Primary School. The opening that first year was for a third grade teacher.

"And after I got here, I just stayed," she said.

The school has undergone many changes during her years and for a while, Thrasher taught English to all the students in the grade. Currently, she teaches all subjects to her third graders.

Thrasher attended Henderson State University for her bachelor's degree and Ouachita Baptist University for her master's. She is married to Frankie Thrasher a retired painter.

Thrasher said the reason she spent the years is public education is simply because of the students.

"It's working with the children. It's seeing their faces light up when they're successful. It's seeing them accomplish something new."

The next "something new" for students in Thrasher's class this week is the multiplication tables. Students are timed as they do a specific number of problems and each tries to achieve a faster time.

There have been some rough spots.

"I guess the hardest thing I've done during my time here is that I've lost two students while they were in my class. It's hard to think about losing a child that young."

Thrasher has had several different rooms at the primary school, but admits it will be like "moving out" when she leaves this year.

But she said it's time to make this step.

"Someone told me it would just hit you when it's time," she said. "And it just feels like it's time."

Her immediate plans include gardening but she said she is looking forward to hunting and fishing trips with her husband. And mostly, she expects to just enjoy some free time.

"I've enjoyed working with the students, and with the faculty at the primary school. They've sort of been like my second family. There have been some rough times and they've been a big support for me.

"Overall, it's been wonderful."

Reece has been teaching for 27 years, with 19 of those in Gurdon. Before coming here, he taught and coached in Helena, Monticello, Hamburg and Hermitage.

He said his goal to coach started early.

"In high school, I always wanted to be a coach."

He said he made a weight room in his garage, using ropes and springs. Then he had a chance to go to Arkansas A&M on a scholarship.

"And here I am."

He's married to Brenda, has three children, Eddie, Missy and Rachelle, and one grandson, Dillon. Dillon, at three, has already started getting basic golfing lessons from grandpa.

Reece said he has coached football, track, golf and basketball. He's currently the Gurdon Primary School physical education teacher and has been coaching golf for Gurdon School for about four years.

Asked what memories could still bring a smile to his face, Reece said it could be summed up in one word  kids.

"I treat all the kids the same," he said. "The bad kids and the good kids."

He said the reward comes later, after the class is dismissed and the P.E. equipment put away. When one of the "bad" kids meets up with him and offers a smile, a handshake and news of their latest accomplishments, that's when Reece said he gets the reward.

"You can never tell them that they can't do something," he said, citing cases of students who didn't seem to have athletic ability but then went on to achieve success. "They might surprise you."

He told of a lawyer who had recently looked him up after some 20 years, reminding Reece that he'd been a coach on his football team. And the kids haven't changed a lot during those years, Reece said.

"They're still basically the same."

Reece said he likes teaching all levels, for different reasons. Junior high students typically are ready to be taught, while high school students have basic knowledge to build on.

Looking back on his years as a coach and teacher, Reece said he would change some things, but said he would still coach.

"There never was a time in the 19 years that I didn't enjoy," Reece said. "And who knows? I might want to come back someday."

His immediate plans do not include any leisure time. He's taken a position with International Paper Company as a scaler on second shift. He said he plans to continue with that for the time being, though he won't rule out the possibility of returning to coaching, if the right offer were made.