Jackson Public School music teacher retires after 42 years

JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Key Elementary’s music teacher, Mrs. Sheila Richardson retired this year after 42 years of teaching music at Jackson Public Schools (JPS).

“I’m happy and I’m sad both at the same time,” said Mrs. Richardson. “Working with the children is my favorite.”

At the early age of four, she started playing piano. But, she didn’t have a music teacher in school, which in some ways inspired her to become a music teacher.

“I think that helped me to decide that I wanted to share that, where I could teach children music and a love of music without them having to pay,” she said.

Over the years, she helped organize the JPS Elementary All-City Music Festival, a nearly half century old tradition at Jackson Public Schools. She also taught at eight other JPS Elementary schools.

Mrs. Richardson says she’s looking forward to spending time with her mother, grandchildren, and do more of what she enjoys.

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