After 23 years of teaching at Bryan, history teacher Thomas Allen has decided to retire.

Allen says teaching is important because it gives people a chance to see and learn things.

“Not just read a book, not just look at their phones and iPads,” Allen said.” But to tell them there’s stuff in the world too.”

Allen thinks teaching is a good profession and one that runs in his family.

“My daughter (Rachel) is in it, my wife (Becky) is a teacher, and my son (Benjamin) is a nurse educator,” Allen said.

Rachel, who works at Bryan as a special education teacher, has learned a lot working with her father.

“My dad has a grandpa type of relationship with students, and they all care for him and he cares for them the same way,” Rachel said.

Thomas said he stayed at Bryan for so long because it feels like family.

“I really enjoy the students here,” Thomas said. “We have a good community. The people — once they get to know us — they realize that we’re trying to help their kids, and we want to see them succeed.”

Thomas has been thinking about retiring for a while now. Rachel says he feels ready.

“I think he feels like he’s done his part,” Rachel said. “His last class of seniors are graduating this year and he’s ready, and he wants to my mom to retire so that they can go travel together.”

Former student junior Gabriella Krasso said next year won’t be the same without Thomas.

“I won’t be able to see him,” Krasso said. “He’s always messing with me and says funny things to me, and he’s always fun to be around.”

Krasso said she has learned many important lessons from Thomas.

“He taught me not to take anything from anyone and to be who you want to be,” Krasso said. “Do want you want to do, and don’t let other people have a say in what you do.”

Thomas said he will come back to visit for different after school activities and sports.

“You guys are fun to be around,” Thomas said. “Hearing all student’s dreams and aspirations and seeing the things that they accomplish, then getting to say, ‘That kid is going to make it someday,’ and then they go on to succeed and do something great in life is a good feeling.”

Thomas said his favorite Bryan memories are watching sporting events and the bonds he made with students.

“Watching students graduate and kids that come back to you, come into the building and tell you things they’ve accomplished after high school is a good feeling,” Thomas said. “Even if things didn’t work out for them here, they’re still proud enough to come back and tell you what they’ve done and accomplished after.”