She has seen many advances

in education aimed at making students smarter and more learned. But with

all the newfangled gadgets and techniques, Ashworth says it will always

be the teacher who makes the difference.

"I would put any of my

graduates up against those of today and feel confident that they would

prove to be just as smart. It is not wonderful teaching aids that make

for wonderful students. It is the teacher that brings it all about,"

she said.

Now that she is retired, Ashworth

plans to spend more time camping in the Adirondack Forest in New York

state and visiting family and friends in Crawfordville.

"Although I'm going

to be away more, this place will always be my roots," she said.

"I had friends who would

tell me that there were better and bigger things out there and that I

was in a rut. I would tell them that there may be bigger things, but not

better and I may be in a rut but I like the rut I'm in," Ashworth

concluded.

"I wouldn't take

anything for the friends and memories I have made here. It's been

good."