Ronola Shears was happily living and working in Dallas for CBI as assistant to the controller. It has always been her husband’s (Terry Shears) dream to move from the big city to a small town and purchase a house with a few acres of land. Two years ago this dream became his reality which meant Ronola had to commute from Avalon to Dallas. “It was a very hard year commuting back and forth from Avalon to Dallas. I wouldn’t get home until seven at night,” explained Ronola.

After a year of commuting back and forth Ronola decided to resign from her job with CBI. Cindy Cashion (secretary for Avalon ISD) told her to come to Avalon ISD and put in an application for a substitute teaching position because they needed a sub. Ronola said, “I met Cindy Cashion and she mentioned that Avalon ISD needed substitutes. She said, come and try it out one day so I did and I said to myself I can do this. So I became a substitute teacher and I subbed all last year and was at school almost four days out of five. I was asked If I wanted to come aboard as a full time aid, I accepted and I just love it.”

Ronola said, “There is a big difference of pace coming from the big city to a small country town but I love it. It took a little time to get adjusted but I would not move back to Dallas, I love it here.”

When asked about the difference between working in accounting and working with three year olds, Ronola replied, “It is tremendously different. The first day scared me to death. It took about six of us to get the young students all settled. But now everyday when I come to work I get greeted with smiles and hugs instead of numbers and phone calls and I just love it.”

Ronola and Terry have two children, Tierra an eighth grader and Terry a fourth grader. They attend school at Avalon. In her spare time Ronola loves to camp with her family, have lots of cook outs and spend time with her family. Ronola also is a youth supervisor with youth from twelve years old and up. Her family attend Miracle Temple Church of Deliverance in Dallas.

Shears graduated from Navarro College in 1992 with her associate degree. She is planning to go back and get her teaching certification and hopes to be teaching kindergarten, first grade or second grade.

“I have really come to love the children, they are a bundle of joy. Every day when I come to school they want big hugs and just to see the smiles on their faces is great. I really love the school it is just like a big happy family.”

We are glad you are here Ronola!