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The importance of education is at the hearts of both George and Gloria Warren. For over 30 years, the married couple has impacted students at W. O. Parmer Elementary School of all ages. However, this year has been the grand finale for the couple, seeing both individuals are retiring at the end of the month.

“I have worked here in Butler County for 38 years with two years before in Conecuh County,” Gloria shared on Monday. Serving as a teacher, Warren has always sought to let the children “blossom.”

Sharing her love for the students and education, Gloria said, “I love children, love to be with them, love to see their smiling faces. Love when that knowledge hits them at just the right time.”

She added, “I love to see them blossom. Especially in kindergarten they come in raw and green and then they blossom.”

Finishing up the school year, this will be Gloria’s last year teaching second grade.

“I taught kindergarten for 32 years, and this makes my eighth year in second grade,” she said.

Gloria found a love for teaching early on in life. “My mother was a second grade teacher,” she said. Throughout the years, she has witnessed generations grow up in Butler County.

“I have taught children’s children. I have a student that is now a teacher. I have seen through the years many of my children, and now I am teaching many students that I taught their parents,” she added.

One of these students, now serving as the kindergarten teacher at W.O. Parmer, is Shelena Jones. When asked why she chose her profession, Jones responded, “Mrs. Warren definitely had an impact on that. Kindergarten is my passion. Now, I am very close to several of the teachers I teach with, including Mrs. Warren as well.”

It seems this same love is what has kept her husband, George, Butler County School System Support Team, at the school over the years.

“I just really enjoy it. It’s amazing to watch them grow up.” Originally working in the third and fourth grade building until moving to W.O. Parmer, George emphasized the excitement yet hard-work that occurs in the school system.

“It has been enjoyable for 30 years. In fact, I did not know there was so much the teachers had to do until I got here,” he added.

The couple both shared their love for the children. “It is so funny when they see us in Walmart and realize we are real people not just people at school,” Gloria said.

Working together has only blessed the couple’s marriage. “We have seen each other for 7 days a week, and 24 hours a day, over these years,” Gloria shared. Filled with joy, George said, “It has been nice working with her. We are just a married couple working together. It always was enjoyable working with her.”

Moving forward the couple plans to serve in ministry together. Gloria said, “I pastor a church and we are going to work together in the ministry.”

Celebrating 38 years of marriage, the couple has two sons and three granddaughters.

The couple concluded, “We definitely have a lot to occupy our time.”