“I always loved getting up and going to 111 Education Lane.”
Fan Bridges put a button on a 31-year career in education after retiring on Friday, August 9. She spent 25 of those years with the Simpson County School District.
During that time, she served in different roles including payroll clerk, bookkeeper, and secretary to the superintendent. Bridges has seen many changes made by the school district during this time to include technology and the way information and policies are stored online to board selected superintendents.
Bridges started her career in 1992 as the payroll clerk for SCSD and worked for four years before transitioning to bookkeeping. She would later accept a position with Central Access as a support expert for their DOS accounting software in 2000.
Central Access developed the accounting program that was used by SCSD. She said it is the leading software in accounting used by school districts across the state. She explained that Jim Milan with Central Access offered her a job and she went to work with the company from 2000 to 2006.
Following her stint with Central Access, Bridges returned home and went to work with Buddy Barnard, owner of Barnard and Sons Construction. While she was working there, she was approached by Joe Welch, who was running for superintendent at the time. He asked her to apply for the secretary to the superintendent position if he won.
Bridges said, “He wanted somebody that knew finance and knew how to operate the program. I told him I had to talk to Buddy, but I would.”
She said, “I missed it. I missed education and I missed that work. I feel that was my calling in education even though I wasn’t in teaching, but I loved that part of education.”
Welch won the election, which shifted Fran’s career path back into education. She talked with Buddy Barnard, though, and he would not let her quit because she was a valued employee.
Bridges smiled and said, “He wouldn’t let me quit. He wanted me to stay on working for him, so I have still worked for Buddy part time all these years. I would not have quit Buddy to take that job because I had given him my word, but him being who he is, he allowed me to work part time.”
Bridges said she wanted to finish her years in the retirement system and the two worked it out so that she could keep both jobs.
She said, “If it hadn’t been for him I would have never gotten that chance and I have the utmost respect for him.”
She went on to have a successful career of over 31 years. Bridges described her time in the school system as rewarding. She said that like any job it has been filled with highs and lows, but it was a fun job.
Bridges said, “I never felt like I was working. I always loved to get up and go to 111 Education Lane every morning. I always told my daughter to find something that gives you joy, and you will never work a day in your life.”
She expressed admiration and love for her coworkers and said she has worked for some of the best superintendents ever. Since 1992, Bridges has worked for seven superintendents. She worked for Troy Greer, Jack McAlpin, Joe Welch, Glenn Harris, Greg Paes, Dr. Toriano Holloway, and Dr. Paul Lawrence.
As this chapter closes for Bridges, she is excited for what comes next.
She said, “I’ve had some really good superintendents. It has been a good ride and God will let you know when it’s time. He has been tapping me on the shoulder and telling me it’s time. When God closes one door, he will open another one for you.”
Bridges was unsure if she wanted to work anymore, but God has led her to a job as financial clerk at Corinth Baptist Church.
She laughed and said, “I didn’t think I really wanted to work anymore. I really wanted to go home and take a nap. But God opened another door and I am excited about it. I love everybody at Corinth and can’t wait to get started.”
In addition to taking on the new position, Bridges says she is extremely excited to spend time with her grandson and attend all his school events.
She shared a message to her former coworkers in closing.
She smiled and said, “I will miss all of them and life is better on the other side. Retirement is everything I have imagined so far.”
