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HOGANSVILLE -For over 45 years, Gina Turner has dedicated her life to teaching children. After four years of serving as principal of Hogansville Elementary School, Turner is finally retiring. On Monday, the Hogansville City Council, as well as a host of friends and fellow teachers, joined together to celebrate Turner and her years of service.

City Councilwoman Mandy Neese reflected upon the challenges of being a teacher and thanked Turner for her work.

“When you take the role of school teacher, you become someone who takes our child and influences them every day,” Neese said. “When you stick around, teach for 30 years, and then become an administrator, you influence all of those people who work for you and the children…You have changed every dynamic of the school and my child now loves her school.”

The city presented Turner with an official certificate of recognition and a plaque. She expressed her thanks for those who came out to show support and her excitement for the future.

“This has probably been the most rewarding job I have had in these 45 years, and it has been the joy of my whole professional career,” Turner said. “Thank you so much, and I look forward to seeing where this town and this school is going to go.”

Dr. Hanna Beall, the current Instructional Specialist at Hogansville Elementary, is set to take over as principal starting in the fall.