Teaching isn't a profession most people get into for the money.

But here in the Northern Valley, you can drive just one county over and make a lot more money.

Loudon County is only just on the other side of the mountain, but the short distance can make all the difference.

Teachers there make an average salary of almost $10,000 more than teachers in Clarke County, but it doesn't always entice them to leave.

"Not once have I ever thought about leaving this community," says James Ross.

James Ross has walked through the doors at Johnson-Williams Middle School for 48 years.

It all started in 1964, when he was heading north to start his career in New York City.

He stopped at his uncle's house in Charles Town, where he learned of a job opportunity in Berryville. His cousin drove him to an interview.

“Before I could get back to my uncle's house for lunch, I had signed a contract to work for Clarke County Public Schools and I've been here ever since,” says Ross.

Working his way up from classroom teacher to now Dean of Students.

Throughout the decades, he's seen multiple family generations.

“I have kids in this school right now who I have taught their grandparents. I mean, you just see the whole cycle,” says Ross.

Much like Mr. Ross, Boyce Elementary School teacher Judy Whiting has been a Clarke County schools employee since she graduated from college 37 years ago.

“You can really feel the love and the care in this building. It's unlike any other school anywhere else,” says Whiting.

People always say teaching isn't a profession you get into for the money.

But both Mr. Ross and Ms. Whiting have seen cases where employees leave Clarke County schools to make more money on the other side of the mountain. The opportunity presented itself, but they both passed.

“If you do good things for kids for money, then you're doing it for the wrong reasons. I've always had kids at heart, and I’ve always loved my job,” says Ross.
“This is my home. I didn't want to go anywhere else. The money was attractive, but sometimes there are more important things than the money,” says Whiting.

Important things like working with a group of students and getting through to them.

“That's worth more than any paycheck to me. Saying to the kids ‘Yes! You got it!’" says Whiting.

Clyff Hill is in his 27th year at Clarke County High School.

What's kept him in the county so long is the people.

“It isn't, of course, the money. I work with a wonderful group of people. The staff, administration here and the students I work with,” says Hill.

The common bond these teachers share is their love of what they do.

“As long as I can walk, you know, I'll be here,” says Whiting.

“I'm here until Clarke County says it's time to move on,” says Ross.

“I'm not ready to retire. I haven't even decided what I wanna be when I grow up,” says Hill.

The teachers you heard from there have been with Clarke County schools a combined 112 years.

In a time when you rarely see people hold one job for their entire career, it's truly impressive what they've been able to accomplish.