When the time came to retire from teaching at Sisson Middle School in Mount Shasta, Carolyn Briody and Bill and Geri Newlun made their decisions with a view to the future and more adventures beyond the classroom.
After nearly three decades of teaching, Briody decided it was time to turn over her fifth grade all curriculum classroom duties so she and her husband can travel across the United States.
“The time may never be entirely right to retire but there comes a point when you just have to say this is it,” Briody said. “It’s going to be fun to have more flexibility in choosing what to do and when to do it. For so many years I’ve had to adhere to the school calendar. It will be real nice to have some options. I’m really looking forward to visiting my daughter in New York City.”
Bill Newlun taught Physical Education and coached for 37 years at Sisson. His wife, Geri, put in 38 years of service, primarily in teaching technology and computer classes.
Both of the Newluns were born and raised in the area. Bill attended school in Dunsmuir and later worked his way through San Francisco State  by serving as a smoke jumper fighting fires during the summer. Geri attended school in Mount Shasta and went on to complete her education at San Jose State. Shortly after graduation they each began teaching at Sisson School and married a year later.
In 1998 Bill was recognized for his contributions to the field of physical education and won a   national award as the outstanding PE teacher of the year in  the country.
“We’re looking forward to traveling and spending more time with our friends,” the Newluns said. “While we have been able to accomplish a lot, there are a few things we have had to put off because of our teaching responsibilities. Now that we’ve retired there will be a lot more options to choose from.”
All three teachers agreed that  their life changing decisions haven’t really hit home as yet.
“We’re in our normal routine right now, wrapping up details at the end of the school year,” Geri said. “This is what we are used to doing. After all we’ve been through it’s part of the cycle. But come mid-August when we would normally begin gearing up for the school year it may seem a little weird to realize that our lives have changed significantly and that we aren’t going back to the classroom. One of the toughest parts is going to be when we turn in our school and classroom keys. That’s when retirement will first begin to take hold.”
Bill is planning on playing a little more golf, and Geri is looking forward to riding her horse. The Newluns have been married for 37 years. Together they are going to take an Alaskan cruise with a group of friends.