Speak Up: For 50 years, Smyrna teacher got it ‘Wright’

Barbara Wright is retiring after a half-century of teaching, deciding to “hang up my apron, as they say.” The 74-year-old Smyrna native taught home economics from 1972-73 at Caesar Rodney High School and family/consumer sciences in the Smyrna School District from 1973-2023, touching the lives of an estimated 17,000 students.

• Awesome teacher! Thank you for all you have done! Enjoy retirement! — Cathy Baker
• Congratulations and enjoy your retirement! — Karyn Billings
• Thank you for loving us and showing us the way, Momma Wright. Congratulations. — Ta’mir Williams
• Thank you for sharing your skills with so many young people! — Jane Collins
• Congratulations! I loved having your class, but most that period two was so loud and because there was so much commotion! — Jazmin Thomas
• Congratulations! Job well done, and you helped shape lives for the better. — Tom Crowe
• Renaming the school in her honor would be nice … 50 years? Jeez! — Jana Lane Brown
• The lady who taught me how to make pigs in a blanket ... congrats and enjoy your well-deserved retirement. — Stacy Shane
• She is a treasure to her family and faith, school, district and community. Thank you. — Diane Butters-Eastburn
• Absolutely amazing. Congratulations! — Debbie Watson
• Hey, I had her when I went there! — Donald Aird
• Congratulations. Thank you for your commitment to our young people, your dedication to our students and your service to humanity. Blessings. — Mike Wilber
• Thank you for your service to the community, ma’am. — Natosha Warner
• Absolutely fantastic! Glory to God! — Shirley Demby Williams
• Congratulations. I don’t know you, but we need more home economics in schools. This generation doesn’t know how to sew or cook. I enjoyed sewing and cooking when I had it. Well deserved. — Cynthia Brady
• Congratulations! You definitely deserve retirement! — Wanda Parton
• Congratulations, Barbara, and good luck on your next journey! — Michelle Newcomb Brill
• She is a sweet lady! Great job. You have done good work! — Colleen Mcneal-Timmons
• We’ll miss you, Mrs. Wright! Best wishes for you! — Paula Samans Collins
• You are a true legend! — Maynard Gregory