5/24/19 Rice Elementary School Retirement Recognition for Annie Pitts by Sarah A. Miller

Rice Elementary School fifth grade students sing at the Fifth Grade Celebration on Friday. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

A video plays photographs of Rice Elementary School fifth grade teacher Annie Pitts throughout her 40 year career at the school during the Fifth Grade Celebration at the school on Friday May 24, 2019. Pitts is retiring after 40 years of teaching at Rice. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Rice Elementary School fifth grade teacher Annie Pitts watches a video playing photographs from her 40 year career at the school during the Fifth Grade Celebration on Friday May 24, 2019. Pitts is retiring after 40 years of teaching at Rice. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

(Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Rice Elementary School fifth grade students applaud for their teacher Annie Pitts who is retiring after 40 years of teaching at Rice. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Rice Elementary School fifth grade teachers Eddie Hill and Annie Pitts embrace during the Fifth Grade Celebration at the school on Friday May 24, 2019. Pitts is retiring after 40 years of teaching at Rice. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Rice Elementary School fifth grade teachers Eddie Hill, Annie Pitts, DeeAnn Tate and Gary Simms are presented with gifts during the Fifth Grade Celebration at the school on Friday May 24, 2019. Pitts is retiring after 40 years of teaching at Rice. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)