Rayford retires after 42 years

When Homewood High School opened its doors in 1972, Carolyn Rayford was one of the first to walk through them. It was the beginning of her four-decade career teaching and learning from thousands of Homewood students. That career came to an end this spring, when Rayford announced her retirement.

Rayford was born in Birmingham to a missionary family. She spent her early years living in England and traveling with her parents. Her Christian faith deepened as she grew up, and she also discovered a passion for teaching.

“Teaching, to me, is learning, and I enjoy learning,” Rayford said.

Homewood was the only place for Rayford. She started as a student teacher at the high school and then became a full-time social studies teacher. Over the years, she became the social studies department chair and taught everything from ancient history to modern world cultures, including Alabama, U.S. and European history. Wars, upheavals and rebellions were Rayford’s favorite topics to teach. She said she enjoyed getting to the why behind historical figures’ thoughts and actions.

“History was indeed my cup of tea,” Rayford said. “You are forever learning, things are forever changing.”

During her tenure, Rayford co-sponsored the HHS chapter of the National Honor Society, sponsored the Beta Club and was a president of the Homewood Education Association. She started a history club for students to learn about research skills and finding credible information, and she also taught night classes at Miles College for 12 years. There were times, Rayford said, when she was teaching seven days a week.

“It’s something I love, so I don’t figure that I’ve really worked because it’s something I truly enjoy doing,” Rayford said. 

Rayford has had the chance to guide thousands of students, including Homewood City Schools Superintendent Bill Cleveland, toward their full potential. She said she enjoyed giving her students a sense of “wow.”

“Children give me energy,” Rayford said. “They want to know and I want to know, so together we can conquer the world.”

Inside the classroom, Rayford’s students were like her children, and she cared about their growth and well-being even after they left school for the day. She said she had some challenging students at times, but she loved them too and affectionately referred to them as “coconut heads.”

“Coconut is my favorite fruit, but to get to a coconut you have to crack it,” Rayford explained.

Rayford’s fellow teachers at HHS were saddened to hear of her retirement. Assistant Principal Amanda Esslinger said her caring nature and “contagious smile” were part of the school’s culture.

“I think that Ms. Rayford has gotten more shout-outs in graduation honor speeches than anyone else,” Esslinger said. “[Students] know that she loves them immensely.”

Kimberly Jones, who teaches ninth-grade algebra and geometry, said Rayford always used her own travels and knowledge to make history more riveting for students. She was also firm but kind in parent-teacher conferences if a student was struggling.

“She’s a real straight shooter and can tell them some good truths about how they can improve, but she was very compassionate,” Jones said.

“She constantly thought of others, whether it be kids or her co-workers. I cannot think of one time when she said a negative word about anyone,” said English teacher Keith Brown, who worked with Rayford for 16 years. “She smiled and laughed a whole lot and made others do the same. I’m notoriously not a morning person, and she was always loving on me and telling me not to be so grouchy.”

With her new free time, Rayford will be spending more time with her son, Jonathan. He has multiple disabilities, including epilepsy and cerebral palsy, but Rayford described him as “the joy of my life.”

“He has taught me to be compassionate, he has taught me to be determined and strong,” Rayford said. “It helps me to be mindful of my trust and hope in God when I’m with him.”

She also plans to travel to all 50 states and every continent — except Antarctica — to see both natural and man-made wonders. Rayford wants to teach Bible classes as she travels, so her teaching career is not truly over yet. As for her Homewood students, however, she hopes they will remember her as fondly as she remembers them.

“I want to be remembered as one with compassion for others. I want to be remembered as a biblical Christian,” Rayford said. “But I want to be remembered as a teacher who loved each and every one of my students. They got on my cotton-picking nerves sometimes, but I love every one of them.”