Senior Master Sergeant Carol Hall Johanson, a 1972 graduate of Ceres High School, has retired after spending 30 years in the Air Force Reserve.

Retirement for Johansen, who spent 26 of those years as a full-time classroom teacher, retired Dec. 8.

Johanson was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and received a letter of appreciation from the White House during her retirement ceremony at joint base Lewis-McChord in Bothell, Wash., where she taught fifth grade at Cedar Wood Elementary School.

School principal David Jones said she is an "example to our school and community - balancing her responsibilities as teacher, soldier, parent and neighborhood volunteer."

Carol, daughter of Margaret Hall and the late Roy Hall, worked her way through Modesto Junior College and California State University, Northridge. She wanted to join the Air Force National Guard Board and in 1983 became a member of the 561str ANG Band at Moffett Field in the Bay area. In 1986 Johanson was hired by Everett School District and she transferred to the 560th ANG Band at Fairchild Air Force Base. After one year she grew tired of her commute to Spokane and joined the Air Force Reserve.

She and husband Ron have two children, Shaylyn and Tim.