The blue skies of retirement await Mrs. Cloud

Careers in Education teacher Debbie Cloud has decided to retire this year, having served over 23 years at Taft High. Cloud Started at TUHS in 1995 at WestSide ROP, then officially began her teaching career in 2010. From being a bus driver to working as a clerk in the CTEC office, Cloud has made an amazing impact on both currently enrolled students and past graduates. Cloud was then inquired to what she would miss most about Taft High, once she has retired this year, Cloud stated, “I will definitely miss the kids and the relationship with them. I appreciate when they call me and ask to help them with cover letters, finding a job, whatever I can do to help them. I’ll miss that a lot. I’m also going to miss my coworkers.”

Cloud, having many memorable moments here at Taft High, was asked which moment had the most impact on her career, with Cloud remarking on the ribbon cutting for the opening of the Career Center in 2016 and the Taft Chamber of Commerce and many other community members attending the event. Cloud was asked what she would be doing once she has officially retired this year, she stated, “Well, I’m going to have to find my new normal, but I plan on traveling a bit. I plan on taking some exercise classes. Subbing for the elementary school, that’s what I’m going to do.” Cloud was asked what impact the students at TUHS had on her, to which she replied, “They’ve meant the world to me. They’ve affected me in ways that helped me grow as a person and taught me to be able to communicate with juniors and seniors and understand what they’re going through…they’ve just made a big impact on my life.”

When asked about how Cloud felt about the current state of TUHS, she replied, “Well I’m sad about all the people that had to find another job…our certificated staff was good and strong, which I’m sure it will be again, but it’s just a new beginning for many of us that probably weren’t wanting to have that new beginning yet, but it has come.”