POMEROY–Local elementary teacher Sandra Bates, has retired after a 21-year career. Her former students, parents, staff and administration here will miss her invaluable service. She will be most remembered as one of the favorite primary grade school teachers, who was a warm, friendly, kind person with a smile on her face.

Bates was born in Yakima, Wash. in 1959. Her family moved frequently until she was eight years old, but then settled in Selah, Wash. where she grew up and graduated from high school in 1977. After high school, she attended and graduated in 1981 from Central Washington University (CWU) in Ellensburg, earning a B.A. degree in Spanish, with a minor in English. She followed that up with a Master's degree in Reading in 1987.

Sandra and Sanford Bates were married in 1981 after meeting at CWU. They moved to Sela, Wash. shortly thereafter, and Sandra had her first teaching job as a first-grade teacher. After three years in Sela, they moved to Pomeroy in 1985. While some of her time in Pomeroy was spent at home raising two children, Tony and Sarah, she also taught Wednesday School for four years, Preschool for three years, and helped in the gifted program for a year, but she will always be remembered for her years as the first grade teacher at Pomeroy Elementary.

Bates never taught a Spanish class, but she used her skills through a summer migrant program, and found it useful as a bilingual interpreter. She was awarded the Pomeroy Teacher of the Year Award many years ago, and used the grant money to put toward her children's college tuition.

She says she will miss the kids, staff, the Pomeroy School District leadership, and the "ladies" she has worked with for so many years. She has always loved working with kids, especially teaching science lessons where she could enjoy watching them discover things that amazed them.

Immediate plans for retirement include spending more time with her grandchildren, doing a little travelling and exploring new places, walking and hiking, and gardening. She said she may have to find a new hobby. The Bates have no plans to leave Pomeroy, as Sandra said, "we feel blessed to be here, it's such a wonderful community." Her father moved here a year ago, knowing that they intended to stay.