Effie Vitinaros always knew she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up.
When her family came to the U.S. from Nafptos, Greece at the age of six, her second grade teacher, Mrs. Coffee, became her inspiration to teach others.
‘She was just a special person,? Vitinaros recalls today. ‘She took me under her wing and showed me special attention.?
Now, after 26 years of taking special education students in Oxford under her wing, Vitinaros has decided to retire at the end of the school year.
She has been a special education teacher at Lakeville Elementary for the past eight years.
Although she has spent the last 29 years teaching special education, Vitinaros began her college career with the intention of teaching secondary education, but was told there was a high demand for special ed teachers.
She received her bachelor’s of science degree in emotional impairment from Eastern Michigan University in 1975 and her masters in learning disabilities in 1979.
‘It has been challenging and very rewarding and important,? Vitinaros said confidently. ‘I know I made the right choice.?
After graduating, Vitinaros spent three years teaching special education at an elementary school in Flint before being hired into the Oxford School District.
Vitinaros, a resident of Brandon Township, has taught at every elementary school in Oxford, including the Washington St. school, which was located where Fire Station #1 is now.
With 29 years of teaching under her belt, Vitinaros said she decided to retire to spend more time with her soon-to-be three grandchildren, her son and daughter and to travel.
Her husband Nick is also retiring this summer.
‘We think this is the time to do it,? she said.
Vitinaros said she will miss the wonderful people and life-long friends she’s met while teaching in Oxford and calls her teaching stint a ‘wonderful journey.?
But most of all, she’ll miss her students.
‘I’m going to miss their smiles and their Eureka! moments,? she said. ‘It just doesn’t get any better than that.?
Some advice Vitinaros wants to give to those pursuing a teaching career is to love children, have patience and have some knowledge of child psychology.
‘Most importantly, though, is to maintain a sense of humor,? she said with a laugh. ‘If you’re going to make it as a teacher, you have to do that.?