Bagby says farewell to life in education

SANDPOINT — For the first time in 44 years, Anne Bagby is hoping her life won’t be ruled by her calendar.

The principal of Farmin Stidwell Elementary is approaching the end of a long career in education. With new principal Jacque Johnson ready to take her place and the school days running short, Bagby is looking forward to days where she doesn’t have to worry about constantly checking the schedule on her iPhone.

“I ready to be done with this thing leading me around by the nose,” she said.

It’s no secret that Bagby has been a very busy woman since becoming the principal of Farmin Stidwell Elementary 10 years ago. As the school principal she oversaw staff and students alike to create the best learning environment possible, and that means there were a lot of people looking to grab a piece of her workday. To properly prepare for the coming day, Bagby routinely rose at 4:30 a.m. — another habit she won’t mind revising in her retirement.

“It will be nice to have my first cup of coffee when the sun is actually up,” she said.

In many ways, retirement represents a freedom Bagby could never manage as principal. She’s also looking forward to having coffee with friends without worrying about the time.

Even so, she said for all the free time she’ll gain, she’s giving up a profession that has kept her happy and fulfilled for more than four decades.

“This is a pleasure for me rather than a job,” she said.

“When you’re working with an unbelievable team of educators like I have, it just doesn’t get any better.”

Aside from taking the day as it comes, Bagby plans to get back into the classroom for some substitute teaching. Education is still her primary passion, and she hopes to continue making a difference in whatever way she can.

Bagby got her start as an educator in California, where she managed academic resources and textbooks for 13,000 students. At six textbooks per student, that added up to a lot of paper.

“I actually had to learn how to drive a forklift,” Bagby said.

As her career progressed, Bagby worked as a teacher for grades four, five and six, a middle school principal and an elementary school principal. Her professional life has been a long and productive one, but she said she could never take sole credit for any of her accomplishments.

“I haven’t done anything on my own,” she said. “There are tons of parents and teachers out there that made me look good.”