Mickey Rutledge loves to teach. After retiring from teaching physical education for 23 years at a school in Shawnee Mission, she wasn’t quite ready to give it up.
She moved to her hometown of Iola nine years ago and became a substitute.
But because of the coronavirus pandemic, she’s stepping aside for at least a couple months. Her husband’s health is vulnerable because of a past heart attack, and she can’t take the risk that she might contract COVID-19.
“I feel so bad for the teachers and administrators. I love teaching and I hate to put them in a spot, but I have to think of my health and my family’s health,” Rutledge said.