Anne Belieu retires from Sidney Public Schools
SIDNEY -- Anne Belieu collected more than 40 years teaching children in the Sidney Public Schools.
She has decided to make room for another teacher, and continue her involvement in education more on her terms. She announced to the Sidney Board of Education February 10 she is retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
She says her career in education started while she was still a young student.
"I think I started as a second grader wanting to be a teacher, and was always kind of the bossy kid that was teaching other kids around me. So, it just came naturally," she said.
She also credits having several teachers in her family for influencing her career decision.
She noted in her resignation letter how education has changed. One thing that hasn't changed is her love for students, parents and her colleagues, she said in her letter. Her entire career in education took place in Sidney.
"I met my husband at Kearney State College. His name is Sam Belieu. He's the director of the Nebraska Oil & Gas Commission. After we graduated college, he was here, and he came back to do the pop business for awhile. I came with him, got a job my first year. I first taught second grade over at North (Elementary School)," she said.
She describes teaching an elementary school classroom as exciting and never dull.
"Teaching in an elementary school classroom is absolutely wonderful. There is never a dull moment. Let me put it that way. There is always something going on; something you need to be ahead of, or watching or listening to. The relationship that you have with seven and eight-year-olds are the best," she said.
She is retiring as a second grade teacher at South Elementary. She said she plans to stay active in the Sidney Public Schools by volunteering and substitute-teaching.
"It is really with mixed emotions. I absolutely love this job, and its been my passion. It's been my calling, and I really want to continue working with kids; volunteering, substituting. I plan to continue learning, and helping kids in any way I can," she said.
