TEACHERS RETIRE — Julie Robinson, left, family consumer sciences teacher at Indian Creek High School, and Lucinda Phillippi, ICHS art teacher, celebrated their final days as educators at the end of the school year. -- Contributed

WINTERSVILLE — Lucinda Phillippi and Julie Robinson have been part of Indian Creek High School’s landscape for 20 years. Their time came a close, however, at the end of the school year.

Phillippi put the final strokes on her career as an art teacher June 1, retiring after two decades. Robinson, a family consumer sciences teacher for 18 years, wrapped up her duties and retired May 30. Not only have the two been colleagues, they have been good friends, as well.

Phillippi, a Harrison County native, spent 38 years in education. She noted “the days have flown by,” but she is thankful for the opportunity to help students bring their imagination to life on canvas. She said art has been a passion since her youth, and counts Michelangelo and John Singer Sargent among her favorites.

“I think when you start young, it’s like a language,” Phillippi said. “I drew as a child and always remember being interested in anything to do with art. During my senior year of high school, I had an art class and it sealed the deal.”

The Cadiz High School graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Ohio University and a master’s degree from the University of Dayton. She served as a substitute teacher at Dover City Schools, then moved to Indiana. Eventually, she returned to the area, raising two children — her daughter, Susan, and son, Brian. Phillippi said her children share an interest in art, as well. She taught arts and crafts at her church and completed a graduate class for reading at Franciscan University of Steubenville through the University of Dayton. It was at the latter she learned of a teaching post at Indian Creek.

“A lot of teachers told me there was an opening and I pretty much got the job the same day,” Phillippi recalled. She found a myriad of ways for her students to stretch their imagination.

“I always tend to look for something that piqued their interest,” she recalled. “We were looking for ways to expand their horizons as to what art is and giving them foundations and experiences.”

Robinson took a different route, but initially had an interest in becoming an educator. She worked with youth as a 4-H extension agent and career-tech teacher. A Holmes County native, she graduated from West Holmes High School and studied education, but changed her major along the way, receiving a bachelor’s degree in home economics at Ohio State University.

Robinson earned a master’s degree in teacher education at Franciscan University of Steubenville. She worked with the Ohio State University Extension office in Belmont and Harrison counties for 20 years. Her job entailed grant writing, working with 4-H youth development and helping to pass the Harrison County 4-H levy. She married her husband, David, and together they had sons Sam and Aaron. She said her growing family led her to seek a change of vocation. That opportunity presented itself at ICHS.

“I approached Jene Watkins and he gave me a resume,” she said of the former superintendent. “We just passed the levy in Harrison County and I said if he hired me that I would help with the district’s levy.” A position became available and she became in charge of the family consumer sciences class, part of the district’s career-tech pathway.

She reflected on working in the former and current school buildings, and counts the move to the new site among her career highlights.

She reflected on having a motorcycle in the gym for a pep rally and leading the Key Club, National Honor Society, Future Teachers and the Family Career and Community Leaders of America student organizations. One memory of her Key Club earning 4,000 community service hours stands out the most.

Phillippi hopes to spend more time with her family, which includes five grandchildren.

She plans to sell original art at area farmer’s markets and related venues.

As for Robinson, she is looking forward to quieter days, possibly taking on a part-time job and being with her family.

Her fervent hope is she has instilled knowledge and inspired students she has taught throughout the years.