BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Board of Education and Superintendent Larry James shined a spotlight on teacher Jimmy Horn, who retired after 28 years of service in the Martin County School District.
“I want to thank Mr. Horn for coming,” James said in Monday night’s BOE meeting. “Mr. Horn and your lovely wife, we’ve got 36 cupcakes up here.”
James presented Horn with a clock.
“I know the kids are going to miss you, and the parents and staff are going to miss you,” said James. “We’re going to miss you.”
Horn expressed his appreciation.
Board member Mickey McCoy paid Horn a high compliment, saying he was impressed with the words that Horn’s son Colin shared during the 2022 graduation ceremony.
Board member Steven Gauze echoed McCoy’s sentiment.
“That was the best speech by a student I’ve heard in a long, long time,” Gauze said.
The board recessed to enjoy cupcakes with the Horns.
Horn began his career teaching in 1989, teaching mostly science at Fowler’s Academy, a private Christian school in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. His career in public education began in 1994 at Inez Middle, where he taught science for 19 years working under principals Tom Dials, Landon Preece and Greg Cornette.
After the consolidation of the two middle schools, Horn taught middle school science at Martin County Middle for five years under Brent Haney.
Finally, he finished his career teaching four years of high school US History at Sheldon Clark and Martin County High School under Martha Williams.
“As my retirement begins, I plan on spending as much time as I can making memories with my wife and kids and hope to be more involved in the ministry of Operation Christmas Child,” Horn said.
“My wife says I am a teacher, so I figure I’ll wind up back in the classroom subbing before long.”
To all the students Horn had the opportunity to teach, he said, “Hopefully I was able to make a difference in their lives.”
Horn married Mary Lynn in 1997, and together they raised their two children, Lyndsey and Colin.
Mr. Horn has recently been spotted at the farmers market in Inez.