‘He’s touched a lot of different people…’ South Knox Elementary principal retires after 44 years in

‘He’s touched a lot of different people…’ South Knox Elementary principal retires after 44 years in education

Missed the session.

A community is saying "thank you" to a beloved principal for his years of service.

"alan drew" is retiring from his role as principal of south knox elementary.

Teachers and students surprised him with a special send off this morning.

"people cheering and waving" news 10's tilly marlatt was there.

She brings us more on the special celebration.

Pk} lights and sirens were flashing in front of south knox elementary school on wednesday morning.

All in celebration.

Elementary school principal alan drew is retiring after 44 years in education.

Those who work with drew say wednesday's surprise was one of the few times they've seen him speechless.

"no words to describe what it means to be that they would go to all this trouble for just me."

(alan drew, retiring principal, south knox elementary) students, staff, and even retired teachers drove past the elementary school.

Teacher johnna (jon-uh) shepard remembers having drew as her fifth grade teacher.

She says he's left a mark on the school and local community.

"he's a very valued person in our community."

(johnna shepard, teacher, south knox elementary school) she says the turnout for today's parade didn't surprise her one bit.

"he's touched a lot of different people in a lot of different ways."

After the parade, teachers gathered in a circle to sing to drew.

(singing) they also released 44 balloons in honor of drew's career.

He's been an administrator for 38 of those years.

He's spent his entire career working for the south knox school corporation.

"it's just a wonderful community, tremendous support for the schools, tremendous parents, and we've had outstanding teachers and staff members all these years."

Drew is known for doing a cartwheel on the last day of school.

Staff cheered him on as he made his final flip in his career.

Reporting in vincennes, tilly marlatt, news 10.

Drew tells us he's looking forward to spending more time with