Mendenhalls will leave EPS to spend more time with children, grandchildren

Education

Related Photos

Discussion

March 22, 2006

Mendenhalls will leave EPS to spend more time with children, grandchildren

By Tippi Rasp The Enid News and Eagle Wed Mar 22, 2006, 03:50 PM CST

After 40 years in education, a long-time Enid Public Schools administrator and his wife are moving closer to their grandchildren.

Larry and Mary Jane Mendenhall are both retiring from EPS at the end of the school year and moving to Bartlesville where they will make their home. Their daughter lives in Bartlesville and their son is an administrator at Tulsa Union Public Schools. Their have four grandchildren within 40 miles of their new home.

“I want to be a part of their life and my children’s life,” Larry said.

Larry, who is retiring as Emerson Junior High principal but who has spent 24 years in the district as an administrator, teacher and coach, said he is looking forward to focusing on the activities of his grandchildren.

“I had invested in everybody’s kids but my own,” he said. “I want to be a part of their life.”

Mary Jane has worked at the district’s central office since 1985. She is an administrative assistant for the special education, transportation and maintenance departments.

The couple moved to Enid in 1982 after stints in several Oklahoma towns. The Mendenhalls already have bought a home in Bartlesville and spend weekends at their new home.

Larry said he has enjoyed his career as an educator, first as a teacher and coach and then as a long time elementary principal.

“As a principal you are still focused on the kids, but ... you are teaching teachers,” he said. “When academics or discipline improves you get a rush out of it.”

Although they describe themselves as active, retirement, they both hope, will bring them relaxation. Larry said he just wants to rest for a while, without any schedules.

“I want to get bored,” he said. “By September, I’ll have all of that I want.”

Mary Jane said she is looking forward to traveling in the fifth-wheel, doing some camping, and visiting other parts of the country.

“I can’t imagine doing nothing,” she said. “We don’t want to sit. Very possibly we’ll work again.”

Larry said he is proud of his students. Although they haven’t been perfect students, he said they have turned into productive adults.

“Even our worst (behaved) kids, they turn out OK,” he said. “Poor choices now don’t necessarily mean poor adults.”

The Mendenhalls also are looking forward to spending more time together. Mary Jane remembers a conversation the couple had decades ago when she realized they had a true partnership. They were overdrawn in their checking account, and they decided to go into business on the side to supplement their salaries when he was a teacher and she was a teacher’s assistant. What followed was a successful wallpapering and painting business.

“We’ve had a good life,” she said. “We’ve been very blessed.”

The Ponca City childhood friends have been married 40 years and have been through a lot together. Larry remembers a conversation his wife had with a friend years ago.

“She said ‘He’s as comfortable as an old houseshoe,” Larry said, ribbing his bride a bit.

Mary Jane said: “I meant it as a compliment.”

As they move to the next chapter in their lives, they know there will be more adjustments. They plan on approaching each new challenge like they have for years.

“Larry and I are friends,” Mary Jane said. “We’ve been friends from day one.”

Text Only

Education

Mary Hammans
Funeral for Mary Hammans, 70, of Woodward, will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2011, at Billings Funeral Home Chapel, Woodward, with her son Daniel Dewayne Hammans officiating.

July 14, 2011
2 school districts could have accreditation pulled
Two Oklahoma school districts could have their accreditation revoked by the state Board of Education.

May 27, 2010
Students slated to take trip to New York, Washington, D.C., this summer A student group formed by a few local band directors and musicians will become nomadic this summer on a 10-day trip to Washington D.C. and New York City.
March 22, 2006 3 Photos
NWOSU, NOC adding more programs to fit Enid students Ed Vineyard, vice president of Northern Oklahoma College, thinks the Enid branch of the school has a number of things to offer that help recruit students to the Enid junior college.
March 22, 2006
Mendenhalls will leave EPS to spend more time with children, grandchildren After 40 years in education, a long-time Enid Public Schools administrator and his wife are moving closer to their grandchildren.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
EPS technology department works on variety of projects

With the pace ever quickening in the advancement of technologies, Mike King and his staff have their work cut out for them.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
OBA, NWOSU grad enjoying her job as fourth-grade Taft teacher Annie Jenkins had to weigh the pros and cons of what was offered to her as she pursued her first teaching job shortly after graduating from Northwestern State Oklahoma University last spring.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
Okarche teachers earn extra $2,000 each for test score results OKARCHE — The certified teaching staff at Okarche Elementary School is reaping the rewards of preparing their students well enough to earn the highest test scores of any school its size.
March 22, 2006
What is a local education foundation? A local education foundation is a volunteer-led, non profit organization that raises private dollars to complement existing school budgets and encourages community involvement in local schools.
March 22, 2006
Local groups providing more financial aid to area classrooms Local education foundations are working to recognize the commitments school districts make to education and reward teachers and students for making a difference.
March 22, 2006 1 Photo
More Education Headlines

Education

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Mendenhalls will leave EPS to spend more time with children, grandchildren

Site Map

Contact Us