Teacher Retires After 39 Years in Same School and Classroom

NEPTUNE BEACH, FL -- Chuck Waddell is checking out after 39 years of teaching at the same school and from the same classroom.

Waddell's retirement from Fletcher Middle School has fellow teachers saying it's so unusual for a teacher these days to stay at one school for so long, let alone be assigned the same classroom.

On Friday, the veteran science teacher, on the last day of school, took care of last-minute business.

"I kept some letters I had from former students. I still have some here, pictures and stuff from students," said the 63-year-old Neptune Beach teacher, who added he really didn't take much home after 39 years.

"I enjoyed every minute of it," said Waddell, when asked about memorable moments.

Waddell says the impact of retirement probably won't hit him until the new school year starts and he won't be in the classroom.

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