Grant Elementary’s Jerry Numbers Closes 32-Year Career

Before this school year even started, Jerry Numbers knew it would be his last as a coach and teacher at Grant Elementary.

After 16 years there, he was ready to retire, but not before making these last nine months the ultimate teaching experience.

He’s had such a good time, he changed his mind every day about leaving.

“I have the ultimate job,” said the physical education teacher.

Ironically, it was the death of his father last year that convinced Numbers to stay a little longer. With the responsibility of caring full time for his 92-year-old dad lifted, Numbers felt energized.

A rental business he ran on the side needed him, too, but he had other plans.

“I wanted to totally devote a year to (Grant), give it my all,” he explained.

That’s saying a lot for a man who was dividing his time between his invalid father, the rental company, teaching and campaigning for his wife Bev, a former City Councilwoman.

But Friday it all ends when school lets out for the summer.

“Every day has been a good day this year,” Numbers said. “That’s been the hardest part. I’ve waffled every day.”

He says it will be hard to give up hearing, “Hi, Mr. Numbers!” and the hugs from students that usually followed.

“You never know. It might be the only hug they get,” he said.

Numbers has been handing out hugs at Grant for 16 years. Before that, he worked as a counselor at various District 81 schools.

“When I became a teacher, I had more time to be a counselor than when I was a counselor,” he said.

“We’re really lucky to have him here,” said reading specialist Sally Rainey. “He’s so significant.”

Rainey nominated Numbers for District 81 Staffer of the Year this year, an award he’s won before. He was also nominated for the Diversity and Equity Award and is on the East Central Steering Committee.

But it’s the small things he does that earned the lifelong South Hill resident the love of his students and colleagues.

Little things like slipping an unpaid intern a $100 bill, or giving Susan B. Anthony dollars to five associated student body officers. Along with the dollars came a chart listing the amount each student would earn if they saved the same amount regularly.

Teacher and coach Terry Byrne also remembers Numbers restoring tarnished, dusty trophies and presenting them to winners of a Grant free-throw competition.

After Narrisa Gibbs sank a perfect 10-for-10, she told Byrne she’d never been awarded a trophy before.

“He handles kids with finesse and respect,” Byrne said. “He deals with a problem very positively. It’s not a fear thing; it’s a respect thing.”

Recently, Grant formalized its love for Numbers with a student council presentation of “Cruising Through the Good Times” in honor of the teacher’s 1956 Corvette. Every class took part in the 90-minute assembly.

Numbers received a giant report card, a pink slip, and class albums filled with drawings.

Fourteen staffers sang a song they wrote especially for Numbers to the tune “I Will Follow Him” from the Whoopie Goldberg movie “Sister Act.”

After 32 years in education, Numbers says he’s changed more than the kids.

“I have fewer kids that don’t mind, because I’ve learned to be a better teacher,” he says.

“Kids need to know they’re appreciated. Then they work hard. But we adults need that, too, and the kids let me know I’m appreciated, so I work hard.”

The 59-year-old Numbers said he’s escaped burnout because he never felt stuck or trapped. If he had, he would have gone long ago.

“I wanted to look forward to the day, not look forward to the end of the day,” he says.

When the last day comes, Numbers will take with him a drawing by student Missy Castelli that depicts floating teardrops above the school and the words: “When Mr. Numbers says ‘Goodbye,’ Grant School will have a Big Cry!”