Teacher’s assistant in Pottsville is still returning to the classroom as she is about to turn 88

Pottsville, Arkansas – Norma Wise stated she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else as she strolled around Pottsville Elementary’s hallways while holding a cane.

In September, the teacher’s assistant who is starting her 48th year in the district will turn 88. She intends to celebrate with hugs, coloring, and perhaps even a little dance, just like any of her kindergarten pupils would.

“I never even considered leaving. Wise responded, “I don’t want to leave.

With her limitations from hip and leg operations, not every class assignment is as simple as it used to be, but hundreds of children still benefit from Wise’s wisdom each year.

According to Wise, students should “just learn everything they can while in school, be nice to everyone, and try to plan ahead in their education for what they want to do.”

Upon relocating to Arkansas from California, Wise first believed she was meant to become a beautician. However, she made the decision to improve children’s lives in 1977, and her commitment to education has had a lasting impact on generations of former pupils who are now sending their children or grandchildren to school.

Present Pottsville Elementary teacher Hannah Keith recalls Wise assisting her in reading clubs. Maddyn, Keith’s daughter, is currently a first-grader.

Being able to observe and instruct individuals who have been here for such a long time is amazing. We’re here for that reason. That’s Mrs. Wise, said Keith.

“Everyone in this area is grateful to have Mrs. Wise, every family, and every teacher,” Maddyn remarked.

Wise is active outside of the classroom as well. She creates cards for kids to handwrite notes to patients in five local nursing homes, distributing kindness to these places. This year, over 600 cards have been prepared for the entire school.

In response to a question about why she doesn’t retire, Wise responded that it keeps her feeling young.

“I just want to spend time with people and do as much good as I can. It helps me get better,” Wise said.