ALAMOSA — Alamosa Elementary 3-5 Principal Christy McBee will retire at the end of the month and will proceed with a transitional year for 2017-2018 after 28 years of teaching.

McBee taught first graders at Polston Primary for seven years before teaching multiple age groups at Boyd Elementary for 15 years. She then became the principal of Boyd.

She was bittersweet about transitioning from teaching to administration, but knew it was the right move. “The very best thing about being a principal is that I’ve fallen madly in love with children again,” said McBee in her resignation letter sent to Superintendent Robert Alejo and the Alamosa School District Board of Education on May 30.

“I have been able to raise my two sons in this community. I’ve been blessed to make lifelong friendships. I have worked alongside many talented colleagues. I’ve been mentored by great administrators...I can only hope my tenure in this position has had a positive impact and that I’m leaving AES in better shape than when I walked in.”

McBee, who wanted to be a teacher since she was 5, ended the letter by thanking the students and the district. “As I think back to all of ‘my kids,’ they have been my salvation in hard times, my inspiration to succeed, and my responsibility to put forth my best effort each and every day,” the letter read.

There was more news of administration changes at the school board meeting Monday night as it was approved that Amy Ortega, associate principal at Alamosa High School, would transfer to Ortega Middle School to be the new principal.

“Mrs. Ortega possess numerous skill sets and experience that will serve all Ortega Middle School parents, students and staff well,” said Alejo in his recommendation letter.

Other personnel changes that the board approved include a total of 14 new hires, three resignations, one additional retirement and four additional transfers.