BIDDEFORD — Put simply, the impact that teachers have upon society is far more significant than any subject they instruct. That’s the case for two veteran educators at St. James School in Biddeford who retired Friday following decades of service to generations of students.

Maddie Coombs, who has taught at St. James for 36 years, and Karen Parenteau, who has been a St. James teacher for 41 years, will now take some well-deserved time off and adjust to life outside of the classroom.

Coombs actually attended high school in the St. James building and says she never imagined being anything other than a teacher. She spent 22 years teaching second grade at St. James and also taught fifth grade for five years, three years teaching fourth grade, two years teaching third grade and the past four years teaching first grade.

“I have loved being a part of this school because it’s a family atmosphere and because of its core Christian values,” Coombs said.

As far as future plans goes, she said she’ll miss her classroom, but will try to use her new-found time sensibly.

“I’m going to take care of my house and am looking forward to spending more time with two of my grandchildren,” Coombs said.

Over the years, Parenteau has taught students in grades 3 to 8, and finished her career by teaching mathematics for grades 6 to 8 and religion for sixth-graders.      

“When I was young, I always wondered what it would be like to go to a Catholic school, but never had the opportunity to do that,” Parenteau said. “Now that I’ve been in this building for 41 years, I think I’m going to relax and spend time with the grandkids and husband.”

For those aspiring to follow her into the teaching profession, she says being an educator has lots of up and down moments.

“The best thing about this school is that it is faith-based and I’ll certainly miss teaching here and the actual teaching of students,” Parenteau said. “I won’t miss the long hours at home correcting papers attending all the meetings.”

St. James students showed how much they appreciated Coombs and Parenteau with hugs and by serenading them and presenting retirement gifts to the teachers at a special assembly on Wednesday afternoon. The entire student body and faculty was involved in the farewell event, which left the retirees with smiles, and a few tears too.

Members of the community who attended St. James and are now parents of students attending the school also were saddened to hear that the teachers were retiring.  

“It was bittersweet for me to learn of Mrs. Coombs’ and Mrs. Parenteau’s upcoming retirements. Both women are my former teachers — second and third grades, respectively — and played major roles in my St. James education,” said Michelle Cote of Biddeford. “It has been heartwarming that my son, who just completed his kindergarten year, has been able to get to know them too.”

Cote said that her connection to Coombs goes back an incredibly long way, as she and Cote’s mother both attended St. Andre School together — one of the schools that later became part of St. James.

“Years later, her daughter Danielle and I attended St. James throughout our elementary school years, with both our mothers serving as colleagues together,” Cote said. “Six years ago, my mother left her music teacher position so that she could watch my children during the week, and now Mrs. Coombs will step into a similar role in which she too will help with Danielle’s children and likewise bring them back and forth from St. James School.”

According to Cote, it’s neat to think that Coombs and her mother — once Catholic grammar school buddies and later Catholic school teachers together –— now get to chat about their exciting roles in a new capacity: grandparenthood.

“I will always have fond memories of Mrs. Coombs’ advanced reading class — she was one of the most nurturing teachers I ever had, and always gently pushed my shy self to try my best.”

Nancy Naimey, St. James School principal, said both women will be sorely missed in the years to come.

“What can you say about someone who has dedicated their life to Catholic education?” Naimey said. “All seeds planted have continued to grow and you’ll never know how far you will reach.”

 — Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 326, or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.