HATFIELD — When David Keir began working at Smith Academy, the school was only 3 years old. He remembers there was only one computer, and a mimeograph for making copies.
Thirty-five years later, David and his wife Brenda Keir, who has worked at Hatfield’s high school for 39 years, decided that this past school year will be their last.
When Brenda officially retires — David has been retired since June 20 — the couple will have over 75 years of combined service with the district. Brenda spent her nearly four decades as an administrative assistant in the main office, while David was a health teacher. He also served as the athletic director for the past seven years. Also retiring this year after 11 years is Smith Academy science teacher Peter Bishop.
For both Brenda and David Keir, the prospect of leaving the school after so long is bittersweet.
“We are excited because it’s the next chapter of our life,” said Brenda, who also said that she would miss the day-to-day interaction she’s had with the students.
“It won’t feel real until September,” said David, when it will be the first time in 35 years he doesn’t show up on the first day of school.
The couple said they felt extremely lucky and content with their work.
“I would never wake up and say, ‘I’m going to work,’” Brenda said. “I would wake up and say, ‘I’m going to school.’”
David also said that he was more than happy with his job.
“I never looked for another opportunity,” David said.
According to the Keirs, the relationships that they made with students, faculty and members of the community were the thing keeping them in Hatfield Public Schools.
Brenda and David said they have mentored former Smith Academy graduates who have come back to the school to teach, including Allison Slysz, who was just named as David’s successor as athletic director.
The Keirs met many of their best friends through Smith Academy, including one time they “literally adopted” a student, Brenda said.
“Not literally,” David said with a chuckle. “She has great parents.”
The close familial bond that the Keirs shared with the community kept them invested and dedicated to their students.
David said that “it has been a privilege” working for the school.
Both David and Brenda have seen the school transform since they began working in Hatfield.
“There was no intercom system,” said Brenda with a smile. “You had to yell down the hallway.”
While technology has changed, Brenda said that the students haven’t.
“They are good people,” she said. Her only complaint was the overwhelming use of cellphones in school.
Brenda and David said they believed that the spirit and culture of the school won’t change.
“I know that the traditions will keep going,” said Brenda, who is an alumna of Smith Academy.
The couple said that they would continue to be involved with the school system, attending sports games and volunteering.
Brenda said that she will miss her daily interaction with the students, while David said he would miss the friendships he made during the course of the job.
The couple said the door remains open on what they are going to do in retirement. Brenda said that she will garden and enjoy the outdoors, while David will work at a golf course for the remainder of the summer, a job he has held for 30 years.
The school honored the couple last week with a retirement party and an event on June 22, and David called the number of colleagues and former students that showed up “amazing.” Guests included a former Smith Academy principal who drove up from Florida to attend. But Brenda said she doesn’t have a massive legacy.
“I am simple,” said Brenda. “When I walk out of here, I want them to remember me by saying, ‘She was a nice lady.’”