A legacy of love: Mrs. Ramsey’s 37 years of teaching at Ripley Elementary School

It’s been said that great teachers are born, not made—and for the students, teachers, and administration at Ripley Elementary School, Mrs. Ramsey was born to be a teacher.

“She is the type of teacher that makes every single student feel like they are her favorite,” said Ripley Elementary School principal Kerri Brewer.

For the past 37 years, Gina Ramsey has been patiently pouring into the students at Ripley Elementary.

“I want them to love to learn, and be excited to come to school, and know that when they get here, they’re loved,” said Ripley second-grade teacher Gina Ramsey.

She is, without question, the second-grade teacher that every student and parent wants to be their teacher.

“Everybody at this point has either had Mrs. Ramsey, or their parents have had Mrs. Ramsey, or their child has had Mrs. Ramsey,” said Brewer.

“If I can impact any of their lives in a positive way that’s what I want to do,” said Ramsey. 

She has made that impact, with seven of her previous students now teaching because of her.

“A key part in helping me make that decision to become a teacher,” said Ripley fourth-grade teacher Megan Hudson.

“She’s caring and kind. If you hear her speak, you will say, she has a teacher voice,” said Lexy Parker, Kindergarten teacher at Ripley Elementary School.

Her love and passion for her students at times consumes her.

“It’s not just a from seven forty-five to three forty-five job for me, I stay much later,” said Ramsey.

“Her car is the one that is always parked here and I’m telling her to go home,” said Brewer. 

Behind her soft answers and patience is her faith

“It’s a calling for me, it’s not a job. I feel it is what the Lord wanted me to do,” said Ramsey.

After 37 years, Mrs. Ramsey has decided it’s time to retire, but she’ll leave the legacy of teaching done right.

“How would Mrs. Ramsey say that. How would Mrs. Ramsey present herself in that situation?” said Parker.

“Those are memories that I will cherish and take with me forever,” said Ramsey.  

For her retirement, Mrs. Ramsey plans to travel and visit her kids who live in other states, but she says next August, she will miss her routine of the past 37 years.