Craig calls it quits

Carrie Craig is leaving Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) after working for the school system for 40 years.

Craig said she started working for the district after she left her job at the Saratoga Sun when Dick Perue was the publisher.

"It was a great experience to work for the Sun," Craig said. "I loved it."

Unfortunately, as a single mother, she needed to find a job that had strong benefits that the Sun did not provide. It was tough for her to leave the Sun because she had started working for the paper when she was in high school, but she had no choice with two young children.

Craig feels blessed she found the position with the school system when she did, and attributes it happening because of an act of kindness she did when she was back in high school, because it paved the way for getting the job at the media center.

"Mimi Gilman ran the media center back then," Craig recounted. "When the family first came here from Boulder, some kids in high school were giving their oldest daughter, Esther, a hard time, who was a freshman, because she was wearing jeans, a flannel shirt and hiking boots. She was way ahead of the fashion here. So I told them they better stop or they were going to be dealing with me-and they all left Esther alone."

Craig said she had photo developing experience from the newspaper, but Gilman told her the act of kindness years before to her daughter cemented Craig's hiring because her boss knew Craig stood up for what she felt was right.

"I never thought twice about helping Esther and I had forgotten about it until Mimi reminded me of it," Craig said. "But in a way, my good deed to help someone who was being picked on got me the job at the school district."

Craig said the job was excellent for her.

"I started out at the Carbon County School District Media Center, the CCIMC, which included both districts in Carbon County," Craig said. "It was a film library, we processed the pictures for the yearbooks, changed films to VHS. Back then, I was doing cutting edge stuff with media."

Her favorite part of the job was to go to schools like Austin Creek outside Hanna and bring the laminator so the children could make projects to take home.

"It would always be just a few kids and the teachers were so grateful," Craig said. "I guess the highlight of the job was working with kids. Places like Bairoil would be so happy when we came, that the kids would hug you when you visited. It really was the best."

She remembers getting the first Apple computer and FAX machine in the school districts.

"The media center got the first Apple computer and it was a big deal," Craig said. "Then the schools started getting computers and it was just a matter of time before the media center was closed."

Craig was at the media center for 20 years. However, as the media center lost its cutting edge as technology improved, many elements of her job became obsolete. She said the center was a co-op between the two school districts and it was decided it was costing too much money. Craig said once the closure occurred, she divided up what each school district received from the defunct center. It was during this time, she was working part time in the office CCSD2 to help the special education secretary.

"At first I helped where I could when I was there part-time and, then, the secretary left and I took her place," Craig said. "It was an eye opener as I read about the kids in special education."

Her boss during that time was Dr. Robert Krisco and one day, feeling a little overwhelmed by what she saw happening, asked if special education made a difference.

"He told me we do and gave me examples," Craig said. "I realized we might not be able to help every kid to the same degree, but we made a difference and that is important."

Craig said, after Krisco, Deb Riker became her boss.

"She is one of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life," Craig said. "I might get teary as I say this, but I have seen so many instances where I have seen her go way beyond what is required to help kids. For instance, one kid went to a work camp and graduated. Deb went there to Worland on her own time and money and gave a gift for his graduation. She has purchased phone cards with her own money to give to kids who might be sent to a center of some sort. She gave her heart and soul to that program and the kids knew it. It was an honor to work with her."

Craig said Riker was her boss for 12 years.

Craig said six years ago she also became curriculum secretary in addition to the special education director's secretary.

"I learned to write grants with that job," Craig said. "I never went to college and I am so thankful I got to learn so much by having this position."

Craig said the current administration has been very approachable.

"They never make you feel stupid if you make a mistake," Craig said. "That hasn't always been the case."

Craig said when she retires, she will help Dick Perue at the museum. She expects to spend time with her family and most importantly, fish.

"I will do volunteer work because I still need structure in my life," Craig said.

Although Craig is looking forward to retirement, she said not interacting with kids will be missed.

"I have always loved working with kids and it was just great to be judging the science projects and spelling bees when I would be asked," Craig said. "When you do these sort of things and work the kids and see how important these events are to them, it makes you realize why you are there in the job. I just love it. There was nothing better about the job than getting to work with kids. I will miss that greatly."