Helen Hunter retires after 43 years

After more than four decades of teaching at the Five Towns Community Center, Inwood resident Helen Hunter has decided to retire, leaving behind a legacy that very few can match.

Hunter, a pre-kindergarten teacher, initially got involved with the Community Center, which is in the Lawrence School District, in 1968 when she was trying to enroll her daughter in school as a member of the Head Start program.

One of the oldest programs at the Community Center, Head Start is an organization that focuses on providing services in order to encourage positive development for students in a low-income household.

These services include community outreach assistance; family needs assessments, and workshops on parenting skills. At the time, the program was so full of students that it became competitive, and Hunter was told that in order for her to ensure that her daughter got in the program, she would have to volunteer.

"Numerous children, many who are now adults, have had the opportunity to benefit from her teaching, loving spirit and guidance," said Bertha Pruitt, executive director of the Community Center. "Helen gave 100 percentto ensure that children receive the necessary tools to move on to other pre-school programs. Helen has worked tirelessly for families in the community and wants to continue her life’s work giving and supporting those in need. We will truly miss her commitment and wisdom that she shared so freely."

Her journey started as an assistant teacher at the community center, which Hunter did for a brief amount of time before she was asked to become a full-time teacher for the program.

After taking a series of classes and workshops at Nassau Community College and SUNY College at Old Westbury, Hunter received her associate’s degree in early childhood education and began the career that would change her life forever.

“My time in the classroom has given me experiences that I had never encountered before, and I have learned tremendously from them,” Hunter said. “I can’t say that it’s been a smooth ride for the 43 years I’ve been in the district, but knowing that I’ve touched the lives of so many of my students makes it all worth it.”

While keeping young children quiet and well behaved in a classroom setting may seem like a daunting task to most people, Hunter considered it a privilege that she feels honored to have. “I start my days early and end my nights late, but I’m completely dedicated to my job.” Hunter said. “It’s not all about money, it’s about being there when the children need help. I know I’m going to miss them.”

Hunter even went so far as to make sure that she didn’t leave the district before her current students did. She chose to wait to empty out her classroom and formerly leave on moving up day, so that she “knew that they were being taken care of.”

One student — Anita Moultrie of Lynbrook— remnains in touch with her beloved Pre-K teacher. “Helen is a beautiful person inside and out,” Moultrie said. “She’s one of the most caring people that I’ve ever met, and she’s an unforgettable part of my life. She loves what she does and does it well.”

Mildred Butler, a co-worker of Hunter’s at the Community Center and a fellow resident of Inwood, agreed. “Her career was based on love, passion, and dedication. She was compassionate not only towards the children in her classroom, but towards the community as a whole.”

Despite decades in the same district where students and administrators loved her and supported her, Hunter remains a humble person. “I would like to thank my family, my friends and my co-workers for supporting me throughout my career,” said Hunter, “I couldn’t have done any of it without you.”