Jeanne Welt has retired as Secondary Instructional Specialist for Madison City Schools. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Jeanne Welt will miss the engagement and energy that only a classroom can offer. She has retired as Secondary Instructional Specialist for Madison City Schools.

Her job at Central Office involved many visits to secondary school classrooms and participating “as a learner alongside teachers in professional development led by instructional partners,” Welt said. “My passion has always centered around students and teachers.”

Previously, Welt worked as the district’s interim Coordinator of High School Instruction. At Bob Jones High School, she served as instructional partner and assistant principal. She taught English at Liberty Middle School for 12 years.

Her honors include National Board Certified Teacher; Madison “Secondary Teacher of the Year” two years; District 8 “Teacher of the Year”; and finalist, “Alabama Teacher of the Year.”

Welt suggests her successor to “be a partner … be a resource … be a support … be a cheerleader. Most importantly, never forget what it’s like to be a teacher ‘in the trenches’ doing the most important work — teaching students.”

“I’ve been privileged to learn so much from so many teachers throughout my career … teachers who have unfaltering faith in their students and their potential … teachers who change lives daily. This I will miss,” Welt said.

Her husband John Welt retired from the U.S. Army as lieutenant colonel in 1996. He now works at COLSA Corporation as a program manager.

The Welts’ sons are Maj. David Welt, 33, at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nev., and Capt. Michael Welt, 29, at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga. Both men are U.S. Air Force Academy graduates.

David and wife Summer’s daughters are Aubrey, 5.5 years, and Everly, 2. Michael and wife Brittany’s son Samuel, 2, is expecting a sibling in June.

During retirement, Jeanne Welt will be an active and involved “Gigi” to her grandchildren. She will enjoy living at their retirement home on Smith Lake.

Welt will visit her sons’ families as they continue military service. She also will pursue gardening, knitting, crocheting, reading and cooking.