Sharon Schools Salute Dunham

Longtime Sharon educator Dr. Barbara Dunham returned to the on Friday as the guest of honor rather than the superintendent of schools.

One semester into her retirement, and with Dunham's family and several former colleagues watching, school officials unveiled a plaque honoring her 33 years as a Sharon educator.

The ceremony was held in the school committee's conference room, on the middle school's second floor.

The plaque reads, "In appreciation to Dr. Barbara Dunham, Superintendent of Schools from 2007 to 2011, For Her 33 Years of Dedication and Commitment to the Students, Staff and Community of Sharon."

The honor touched Dunham.

"I'm embarrassed by this, I have to say," said Dunham, who's also a alumnus.

"I think there are so many people in the district that give so much time and of themselves to the district that I feel like I'm representing those people, and not just myself. Because everyone in the schools, they just work way beyond the hours and the time that they're paid to do. Having worked here for 33 years, I've seen it, I've witnessed it.

"I feel undeserving of this, but I thank you all very, very much."

said that for him, created "a feeling of a lack of a safety net, like there wasn't always that other person to go to to say, 'What about this?' Or 'What about that?"

"During the course of the ensuing five or six months, I've felt a little more confidence in that vein," said Farmer, who spent three years as Dunham's assistant superintendent for curriculum and administration.

"However, going around the district, talking to other people, the number of times that people say, 'Have you seen Barbara lately?' Or they'll ask me something that I don't have the history, and I'll say, 'I'll have to ask Barbara.'"

"So I very much appreciate the ongoing friendship that Barbara and I have had. She's always been available for an e-mail or a telephone call.

"There have just been a lot of times that it's evident that over her 33 years in Sharon that her heart has always been in the right place. She's dedicated to the children of this town, and to the education of kids in the community itself."

Farmer said Friday's tribute was initiated by Dunham's husband, Carroll, and school officials were "very happy" to support.

"I think Carroll is as proud of Barbara, moreso than we are. And hopefully, her granddaughters are proud too, and happy," Farmer said.