On Friday, June 10, in the Polk County Middle School Media Center, Dr. Robert Pettis was celebrated for his retirement. Kathryn Patterson, PCMS English Language Arts teacher and close family friend of Dr. Pettis, talked to those gathered about advice that Dr. Pettis would want us all to have while working in education.

Dr. Pettis has had an extensive career in North Carolina and South Carolina education. Over the years he taught science, coached basketball, directed summer school, and became a principal. He was also the director of technology and Title 1 in Spartanburg District Six before coming to Polk County Schools.

When he started in Polk County, he was vital in starting the science center at Polk Central and the STEM program at PCMS. While in Polk County, he taught sixth, seventh and eighth grade science and STEM, coached the Bridge Building teams and was a Science Olympiad Coach.

– article submitted by Langlee Garrett