Regina Humphries, East Duplin High School CTE instructor, retires

Regina Humphries, a teacher at East Duplin High School, has retired after over 24 years in education. For now, she plans to work alongside her sister at their home bakery, Maple Creek Bakery. 

Regina Humphries Facebook

“The things I will miss most are my East Duplin family, but I will surely miss my CTE (Career and Technical Education) family,” said Humphries. “They have become my work family and I will miss them terribly.”

Humphries has many memories of her time at East Duplin. After being diagnosed with breast cancer about 12 years ago, a student asked her if she could pray for her. The other students in the class wanted to join in her prayer. They all gathered around Humphries and each took a turn saying a prayer for her. 

“I truly believe that childlike faith healed me,” said Humphries. “Not only did those kids rally around me, but the entire school did. It was awesome and I still remember it to this day.”

She didn’t always know what to do as a new teacher, but with time she learned. She believed that if she gave respect, she would get it in return.

Regina Humphries Facebook

Co-workers gave her a send off.

“If a kid was having a bad day, I learned to take time and talk to them,” said Humphries. “There was normally an underlying issue going on. Something happened at home, a girlfriend/boyfriend break-up, something happened in another class, etc. I learned to take time to listen.”

She believes the most important thing a teacher can do is love her students, and to have fun with them. It builds lasting relationships and memories.

“If you want to avoid most discipline problems, be fair and consistent and just let them know you care and they will usually do what you ask them to do,” said Humphries. “Take time and do something unexpected, like stop class 10 minutes early and just let them talk.”