At the Caroline County Public Schools Annual Kickoff, former superintendent Dr. Edward Shirley was on hand to present a new CCPS award for volunteerism to Dr. James Orr. The award recognizes a retired Caroline County Public Schools employee who continues to serve students, schools, or the district through meaningful volunteerism, and is aptly named the James T. Orr Award in honor of its first recipient.
In calling Dr. Shirley to the podium to present the award, Superintendent Dr. Derek Simmons said he was thrilled to introduce the person who served as a role model for himself and so many other administrators in the room. He shared that during his tenure, Dr. Shirley modeled kindness, courage, and humility, and showed how to lead in a way that makes people know they are heard and supported. As Dr. Shirley took the stage, the audience rose to give him a standing ovation.
Dr. Shirley shared that he remembered his first day as a new teacher in 1966, and being sure that he would change the world, which brought a laugh from the audience. He then went on to detail what the people in the room may do, a list that included teaching a student to read, understand decimals, repair a car, get them to school safely, or prepare the only balanced meal they’d see that day.
Dr. Shirley said that the day would come when it was time for retirement, and some of them may choose to follow the path set by Dr. Jim Orr, which is to continue to serve the students and staff of Caroline through other avenues.
“Dr. Orr’s retirement sometimes reminds me of the great line in (the movie) The Godfather when Michael says he wants out but the family always pulls him back in,” he joked. “Now, please don’t think I am comparing Caroline County to the Correlone family. But … Jim Orr is the only person that I ever attended two retirement parties for, and both from the same school system. It was during the second party that I decided what Jim had done was remarkable and that he was the only one who was doing it. You see, Jim never actually retired.”
Dr. Shirley went on to say that Jim has served as a mentor to elementary kids at Greensboro, a mentor to numerous administrators, and served on numerous committees, including acting as chair of the Caroline Education Foundation board. “Always the same Jim (with the) same smile, necktie, and professionalism, regardless of the position,” he said.
Dr. Orr was unable to attend the event but sent remarks that were read by Dr. Simmons. “I am thrilled to receive this award. Thank you, I love you, and I love Caroline County Public Schools.” Dr. Orr added that receiving the award in the Merrill Morgan gymnasium at CRHS made the honor very special. “There are all kinds of components of an effective school system: Well communicated goals, high expectations, well designed curriculum, accountability, etc. Those things and more are important, including engaging parents, extended family and former staff in our decision making and day to day operations. The engagement of our stakeholders makes us better, it makes us whole. So, including the recognition of those who give is another reason Caroline County Public Schools is so special.”
He concluded by saying, “Again, I am thrilled, thank you so much. I pray for you every single day of life. Have an incredible school year.”
Dr. Orr will receive the award during his next visit to Caroline. A plaque with his name and space for the names of future recipients will be placed in the district office in Denton.