Working several years for one employer is a monumental milestone these days, but imagine someone devoting 45 years of service to one organization – that is exactly what Annie Jordan has done.
Jordan, a food assistant at Fayette Middle, has cooked and served countless meals to thousands of students throughout her career. In addition to Fayette Middle, she has worked at Fayette County High, J.C. Booth Middle, Peachtree City Elementary, and North Fayette Elementary. She also helps out at the LaFayette Educational Center from time to time.
Jordan says she sought a job in food services because she loves to cook and work with children.
“Sometimes this is the only meal these kids get. We work hard to make sure we give them a good meal everyday,” she said.
What Jordan likes best about her job is working with her colleagues and interacting with the students.
“I get along with everyone, but most of all I like the kids and serving them,” she added.
Jordan is currently tied with a former employee for having the greatest number of years of service. Longtime educator Lettie “Boots” Ashworth retired in 2003 after devoting 45 years to the school system. Both ladies worked under seven superintendents, watched the county grow from a small rural town to the Atlanta suburb it is today and witnessed the addition of numerous schools.
Jordan is proud of her longevity at the school system and says she has no intention of retiring any time soon. If she has her way, she will break the record for being the longest employed with the system.
“As long as I am able, I will be around. I’m not planning to go anywhere,” she said.
Jordan is also an active member of the Fayette County Food Service Association and is the county’s local co-chair for legislation effecting school food services. She travels to the Georgia State Capitol during each legislative session to discuss concerns food service employees have about retirement, sick leave, and funding for student meals.
Jordan likes to travel in her spare time. She and her husband are known for hopping on a Greyhound bus and heading off to fun places on Fridays, but she is always at work on Monday mornings, ready and eager to prepare meals and serve the students she loves.
