Teacher has ‘Sweet’ memories

Record Staff Report

PINE KNOT — Sat, May 17 2008

— As The McCreary County Record publishes its 5th Annual “Class of…” edition, we would like to pay special homage to Sandra Sweet, who has taught kindergarten since the program was introduced in this county.
Sweet has sent many classes home for the summer so while in some ways June 1 was like any other “last day of school,” it was in fact a special day for Sweet — her last day as a kindergarten teacher for Pine Knot Primary School.
Sweet spent 32 years in McCreary County Schools as an educator. She taught one year at Whitley City Elementary in special reading. Then in 1976 when the school district began its kindergarten program, Sweet joined Liz Taylor Neal in becoming the county’s first kindergarten teachers.
She found where she wanted to be and would teach kindergarten for the next 31 years.
Those early kindergarten classes were held in the basement of the Stearns First Baptist Church. Sweet’s class was eventually moved to Pine Knot Elementary School, now known as Pine Knot Primary.
“She may have inherited her love of teaching from her Mom and Dad,” mother Louise Lester said.
Mrs. Lester was herself an elementary teacher and librarian for almost 42 years. Sweet’s father, Carlos Lester, served in several capacities with McCreary County Schools over 39 years.
While giving scores of children the building blocks for a good education, Sweet also reared two children — Amy and Michael — with her husband, John.
Though her family may have several plans for her retirement, Sweet’s colleagues at Pine Knot Primary presented her with a rocking chair just in case she wants to sit back and take a well-deserved break.

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