Her last week of school, for the 33rd time
RANGELY I This is the 33rd last week of school for Parkview Elementary’s secretary, Betty Hames. The longtime Rangely School District employee will retire after a remarkable 33 years of service.
“I feel lucky to have found a job that never really seemed like a job, just a passion,” Hames said.
She worked in the original Parkview building when it opened and when it closed and says the new Parkview is a great place she will miss.
Co-workers and students will certainly miss Hames as well, for her endless hours of dedication to the school, her love of the kids, her consistency and her dependability.
One co-worker said, “She is just the best, what can I say?”
“If you need to know something, call Betty, she will know,” said another.
It’s obvious Hames has been an incredible employee for the district for more than three decades and has made a positive difference at Parkview Elementary.
Betty is married to Henry Hames, president of the Rangely Chamber of Commerce, and they have two children and four grandchildren. Jennifer and her husband Colby Goddard, and their children Justin and Keri; and daughter Christina, her husband Ed Miller, and their children, Marlena and Trey, all of whom live in Rangely. The Goddard family owns and operates Goddard Construction and the Miller family has a heating and plumbing business. Betty and Henry also own the Buck n Bull RV park just east of Rangely. The Hames are community-oriented people who believe in local success through involvement.
Asked what has changed in her 33 years as a secretary, Hames answered, “Office equipment is now faster and more efficient.” She remembers how hard it was to correct errors made with typewriters and added, “You hoped you didn’t make any.” Computers and the applications for everyday office routines like letter-writing, accounting and spreadsheets have certainly changed from the days when she started out.
“Duplicators were messy and difficult to run clean copies on,” she said. They have given way to copy machines and mailing letters has been made faster via email.
Teaching methods have changed as well, from chalkboards to white boards and now smart boards keep students involved and active in the classroom.
“Yes, we have come a long way and I think it is all quite impressive.”
Equally impressive is her ability to consistently change with the times and continue to interact well with the students through the years.
Once an elementary student saw Hames outside of school and yelled, “Hi, Mrs. Hames!” When the child’s parent asked her who she was talking to, the girl replied, “The principal.”
The secretaries in our educational facilities play an important role, and this is obviously recognized by the students.
Betty has always enjoyed her time with the students.
“My greatest joy is still being around the kids. This I will miss the most. I have been invited to come back for a visit and I most likely will.”
She looks forward to her retirement to do other things that she loves, like spending more time with her husband, children and grandchildren.
“I can do all the hobbies that I enjoy like sewing, woodworking, crafts, gardening and reading. Hames will be retired but not resting.
There is no doubt, Betty Hames will be missed dearly and a replacement for more than 30 years of service is never easy to find. She has been a consistent figure in a school that has changed location and staff, but never changed its goal of educating young students in their most influential time of learning.
The organizational abilities and kind presence Hames brought to her work is appreciated and admired by so many who have worked with or around her during her incredible career at Parkview Elementary. Congratulations and good luck to Betty Hames.
