Margie Carroll reflects on her 20 years with the College

Margie Carroll’s colleagues in the College of Education are more to her than co-workers and work friends. To her, they are family.

With retirement approaching, Carroll looked back on her career at The University of Alabama, cherishing the memories made and the community built.

“After you've worked somewhere for almost 20 years, you've seen a lot of people come and go, but you always hold a special place in your heart for them,” she said.

In July, Carroll retired from her nearly 10 years as administrative assistant, and though she will miss her family within the College and working with students, she is looking toward the future with excitement.

With her husband Terry having retired from his career as an officer and investigator at the Northport Police Department five years ago, Carroll said she is eager to spend more time with him and their young grandchildren.

“I’m convinced now more than ever that it’s my time,” she said. “Children stay little for such a short time. I want to enjoy that and be able to help out. … Just being able to see (my grandkids) when they are all excited at the end of the day, that’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”

After earning her business administration certificate at Shelton State Community College, Carroll first worked in a law office as well as the First National Bank and Phifer Wire before coming to the University in February 2003. That is when she became administrative assistant for the Department of Education Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies, continuing her work until 2005 when she briefly left for a private company.

She returned to the College four months later, spending 10 years with secondary education. It and elementary education were still separate at the time, later merging into Curriculum and Instruction.

“Even when I felt like it was time for me to move from Curriculum and Instruction, I waited until something opened in the College,” Carroll said. “I didn’t want to leave because I love working with students who are going to be teachers. That is one of the most valuable jobs that someone can have is to be an educator. Teachers change lives, and what kept me here were the people and their ethic of wanting to help, wanting to teach.”

In 2015, Carroll began her role as administrative assistant in Student Services where she often was the first person people met when coming into the office. She enjoyed being able to interact and assist new students, current students, faculty, and staff or anyone else who stopped by.

Throughout her time in the College, Carroll has had the chance to work with many great educators, including Dr. Albert Miles, Dr. Dave Dagley, Dr. Liza Wilson, Dr. Harold Bishop, Dr. Kathy Shaver-Wetzel, who she has known since she was young, and others.

As she looks back on her career, Carroll said being able to work with those who prepare our future teachers has given her a new mindset regarding school and education.

“Working with future educators is so important. Having kids and grandchildren, I know what an impact our instructors and faculty members can make,” she said. “I have great respect for teachers and the responsibility they are taking on when they work with our littles.”