Cavender ends venerable career in teaching

Pat Cavender visits with Tatum Thaxton, daughter of her colleague at Bob Jones, Amy Thaxton. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – After an impressive number of years in the field of education, Patricia ‘Pat’ Cavender is retiring as a health teacher at Bob Jones High School.

Looking back on her career, Cavender said she takes the most pride in “my 25 year coaching card.”

Cavender chose Wilma Muse as the person that she best remembers from her time as a student and teacher. “Wilma Muse was a math teacher I had in high school. She was just an exceptional teacher and person,” Cavender said.

For the person who replaces her, Cavender recommends to “always do the best you can.”

She earned a bachelor’s degree in science, health, physical education and recreation at Tennessee Technical University in Cookeville in 1976. Cavender chose Alabama A&M University to complete two master’s degrees — one in administration and one in physical education.

Cavender taught health, driver’s education and physical education at Butler High School for 27 years. She worked as a health instructor at Calhoun Community College for eight years. In addition, she was a physical education teacher for three years at Discovery Middle School and six years at Bob Jones.

Her son Jay Cavender, 22, graduated in 2009 from Bob Jones and in 2013 from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Now that she is retired, Pat Cavender plans to spend time with her family and to travel. In her spare time, Pat Cavender enjoys hiking, camping and reading. Her favorite hobby is running.