Windsor Farm's Rice Retiring

Retiring is not going to be easy for Windsor Farm Elementary Principal Randall Rice who recently announced his retirement to the school community. While he looks forward to having more time to play golf and work in his garden, he is going to miss what he calls “the greatest job in the world.”

“Windsor Farm is a wonderful place,” said Rice about the school he has led for nine years. “We have an extremely talented staff, the students are a joy, and the parents are willing to do anything to help their children learn.” 

Rice grew up in Anne Arundel County, graduating from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and getting his masters from Towson University. He said it never occurred him to do any other job.

“I hear some say it takes them a while to decide to teach,” he said. “For me, it might have been ten seconds. I just knew education was what I was supposed to do.”

Rice first served as an assistant principal at Jacobsville Elementary and principal of Fort Smallwood before he was tapped to lead Windsor Farm. He entered as educational leader when the school community was unsettled, but believes he is leaving it strong and prepared for the next principal.

Though he admits there are some parts of the job that aren’t as enjoyable, he said the students always boost his energy and morale. “I like to make my rounds,” said Rice about his occasional hallway strolls. “Almost every time a student greets me with a smile and it makes everything worth it.”

His favorite thing he will miss?  The morning announcements led by students. "We have a saying that we are 'almost perfect all of the time.' Well, something always goes wrong, every morning. But it's always entertaining and enjoyable.”

As much as he loves it, Rice believes it is time to go. "I never want to get to a point where I don't enjoy my job," he said.

So, the plan for retirement?  “I have grandchildren I can see more of and hope to relax,” he said. “I give that a year and then I will probably be into something else.”