Willie Thomas began his second retirement last week – this time, leaving behind the sweet children who populate Bright Beginnings Preschool.

Thomas, who spent 32 years in public schools, has served as director of the preschool program for the past 11.

He said last week if he’d known how sweet young children are, he would likely have spent his entire career with them.

His love for those children has been evident in his years in early childhood education, and his pride immense. When he speaks of the success of those children who got their beginning in his Bright Preschool, there is pride in his voice. He has tracked them through the years, and knows how they’ve done

Their successes are evidence of two things: First, that early education is extremely important; second, that when teachers and school leaders love children and set high expectations for them, the children will meet those expectations.

We join a grateful community of parents and grandparents who thank him for giving lots of young people a solid start, and wish him much happiness