Doe Evans, who led Crabapple Lane Elementary as principal for 14 years, is still dedicated to our schools in retirement.
Becoming an educator was always in the cards for Evans.
“There was never really any doubt in my mind,” Evans said. “I didn’t have to wander through different career paths. I knew from the time I was very young that being a teacher was what I wanted to do.”
She first taught in South Fulton County for a decade, then stayed home for 6 years when her children were born. She moved to Fayette County in 1993 and returned to teaching with a kindergarten class at North Fayette Elementary.
At the urging of others, she enrolled in the school system’s administrative internship program. The internship didn’t last long. Principal Sandra Watson interviewed her to become an assistant principal at the soon-to-open Peeples Elementary. She worked with Watson as for almost 5 years until she was hired to open up the new Crabapple Lane Elementary.
When it came time to lead her own school, Evans carried what she learned with her. Watson taught her the value of the team around you.
“You surround yourself with good people: People that are knowledgeable, people that are hardworking, and people that will do whatever you ask them to do and do whatever is best for the kids.”
That gave Evans her motto: “Whatever’s best for the kids is what we do.”
One of the most rewarding parts of the job was making connections.
“It’s not all about reading, writing, and arithmetic. It’s making them know that they can trust you and know that you’re there for them on the good days and on the bad days,” she said.
That extended to teachers, and she made sure they knew that family comes first.
“If things aren’t going well at home, they can’t go well at school,” she said. “I tried to always be there to listen and do what was best for them at the time.”
Now in her seventh year of retirement, Evans still finds ways to serve students and teachers with the Fayette County Retired Educators Association.
The organization provides a framework for retired educators to support the school system and its teachers, schools, and students. Key initiatives include a scholarship for a graduate to study education in college, gifts for Teacher of the Year winners, and a new scholarship for a paraprofessional going back to school to become an educator.
This year they picked Cleveland Elementary as their focus school. Their support went beyond just financial with members volunteering their time to chip in with the Crocodiles. They joined school staff at a mobile home park and handed out Halloween costumes, chipped in on Math Night, served lunch at Thanksgiving, and collected pajamas and shoes for clothing drives.
They love that they can still make connections directly with children, even as retired educators.
“It’s to provide support and fellowship for the friends and retired educators,” said Evans. “When you retire, you don’t have those connections like you did when you were working.”
Like she did as a teacher and principal, it gives her an opportunity to repay the kindness and support so many have shown her.
“I enjoy giving back, but I got just as much as I gave, and I have been very, very blessed over 34 years in education.”
The public is encouraged to donate or become a member. You do not have to be a past teacher to join. To get involved with the Fayette County Retired Educators Association, visit fayettegaretirededucators.org.
“The Honor Role,” an official podcast for Fayette County Public Schools, features employees, rotating through key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Join us as we dive in and learn about their journeys, their inspirations, and their whys.
Episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and promoted on the social media channels of Fayette County Public Schools.
Episodes will also be available here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2200811.
Posted 4/22/2025
