Courtesy photo Lemmer Elementary Principal Matt Johnson-Reeves stands in front of students while wearing a “rock star” wig at an assembly during reading month. Reeves will officially retire May 1 after working in Escanaba Area Public Schools over 20 years.

ESCANABA — Lemmer Elementary Principal Matt Johnson-Reeves will officially make May 1 his first day of retirement, leaving the school district he has been a part of over 20 years.

“After working together with people 24 years they become family, that is what I’ll miss,” said Reeves. “Obviously this is a unique time. The pandemic has brought a different feel to school. I didn’t feel like I was affecting kids at this point, so I felt it was a good fit.”

The coronavirus, COVID-19, has caused people to think out of the box when celebrating events. One of the most popular ways to celebrate is by holding a parade and that’s what students, teachers and administration did earlier this month.

“Dr. Reeves has provided many years of service to students and staff in Escanaba. His dedication to children will be missed in the district, and we wish him all the best as he enters retirement,” said Superintendent Coby Fletcher.

Reeves’ view of retirement does not take him totally away from teaching, he plans to continue in some capacity.

“I’m far too young to do nothing … I have a unique set of skills and have worked in different roles, K-12,” said Reeves. “I’m looking at higher education, superintendent somewhere, possibly out-of-state, or in the area.”

Reeves and his wife have limited family around, but after being part of a community over 20 years he sees previous students with their families and enjoys seeing how they have created lives.

“Many students I taught years ago now have children of their own and I’m now working with their kids,” he said. “It’s nice to see the accomplishments.”

Reeves has helped student teachers advance in their career, making sure someone can step up and fill the shoes of previous teachers.

“I would tell students studying in education to be ready for adversity. Being a teacher is not easy, but it can be hugely rewarding and you build relationships for a lifetime,” he said.

Reeves was inspired by a math teacher in school and received a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in history and math. He started his teaching career in Dowagiac, Mich., south of Kalamazoo, then moved to the Upper Peninsula in the fall of 1996, where he started teaching math in Escanaba High School. Reeves continued his schooling, receiving his master’s and doctoral degrees later in life.

Through the years he has taught at all levels and advised in many clubs and organizations — E Club, Varsity Letter Club, Students Against Drunk Drivers, math department chair, president of the teachers union, and a coach.

The position of principal opened up at Lemmer and Reeves asked to be placed there after working at Franklin Elementary and the high school.

“Being the principal here has been a great experience,” said Reeves. “I have had great experiences with the PTO and a church close to the school, New Life.”

In 2005 Reeves was the speaker at the Escanaba seniors’ graduation. He gave a speech based on the Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith, advice he would like to share with the class of 2020.

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered — Love them anyway

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives — Do good anyway

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies — Succeed anyway

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow — Do good anyway

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable — Be honest and frank anyway

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds — Think big anyway

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs — Fight for a few underdogs anyway

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight — Build anyway

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them — Help people anyway

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth — Give the world the best you have anyway

“Do it anyway, there will be all kinds of obstacles … be true to yourself, life can throw all kinds of things at you. Do it for yourself and for your family,” said Reeves.

The same words are found near the phone on his desk, left there for Paulette Wickham, who will fill his shoes at Lemmer starting in the fall, after holding the position of principal in Soo Hill Elementary.

“I so enjoyed my work with students, staff and parents. Thank you to the community, for always being supportive,” said Reeves. “I think we did very good things for kids in the area, and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to work here. I wish everyone well.”