Rose Gilbert has seven great-grandchildren, and is retiring to have more time with them

Mar 2, 2013 10:48 GMT  ·  By

A 94-year-old teacher from Los Angeles has announced she is just now retiring, reports say. According to Media Bistro, Rose Gilbert has been teaching at Palisades High for the last 66 years.

On February 22, just before her 95th birthday, she officially called it quits. She has taught since the 1940s, taking a break until 1956 then returning to her passion.

Speaking to the Palisades Post, Gilbert recalls her years on the job. She has a passion for poetry and literature, and was still teaching three AP English classes during the final days on the job.

She joined the high-school in the Pacific Palisades in 1961, when it opened. However, she now wants to focus on spending time with her family, which includes seven great-grandchildren.

“Teaching is still a joy and I loved my job'it kept me happy for 66 years. But I want to be able to enjoy time with my seven great-grandchildren. I want to be part of their growing up.

“Teaching has been my whole life, to help kids as a mentor and with their papers,” she describes.

She is not walking away completely from being a teacher, as she will still come back as a substitute. She also plans to volunteer at a family clinic in Venice, and join a second book club.

PaliHi Principal, Dr. Pamela Magee praises the teacher's involvement in the school and community mentioning that, around the high-school, she is known as “Mama G.”

“Rose 'Mama G' Gilbert has been an inspiration to all involved with Palisades Charter High School. [...] Her passion for Pali, exemplary work ethic, and unparalleled generosity are legendary.

“Because of Ms.Gilbert, the Pali school community enjoys a state-of- the-art aquatic center and will soon have two fully revitalized lecture halls/performance spaces. She will always hold a very special place in the school's legacy and in our hearts,” Magee says.