No one is exactly sure when Myrtle McDavid started working for BREC's preschool program. "I know it was before my younger sister was born in 1972," Mayor McDavid told us. Regardless, Miss Myrtle, or "Myrtle the Turtle" as her students affectionately called her, has educated generations of Zachary children. "We have families in Zachary where grandparents or even great grandparents had Ms. Myrtle, and then their grandbabies had her too," a party attendee said.

This weekend, BREC Church St. Park celebrated her service by hosting a retirement party. Most of the attendees had either been a student of Miss Myrtle's or their children had attended BREC Beginnings. Sometimes both! 

"I have absolutely loved my time at BREC," Miss Myrtle told me. She officially retired a few months back at the start of the new semester but tells me that she misses the children so much she sometimes wants to come back.  "Teaching these children has been my life." 

A Pillar of the Community

For over 50 years, Miss Myrtle has been an icon in early childhood education through her dedication to the BREC New Beginnings program, formerly known as Tiny Steps. Her reputation for kindness and nurturing has made the program a staple in the Zachary community.

After moving to Zachary with her husband due to a job transfer with Illinois Central Railroad, Miss Myrtle took her first steps into what would become a lifelong passion. The BREC preschool program thrived under her guidance, always operating at full capacity thanks to her dedication.

Beyond the classroom, Miss Myrtle went above and beyond her official duties. "I was center supervisor, teacher, janitor—I did it all, even operating the buffing machine," she said. Her daughter, Stephanie Carpenter, recalls that after finishing her daily shifts, Miss Myrtle would return in the evenings to assist with other BREC programs, including dance, baton twirling, and gymnastics.

A Lasting Legacy

Miss Myrtle’s impact spans generations, not only through the thousands of students she nurtured over the years but also within her own family. Her children and grandchildren have carried on her deep love for Zachary and its people, with her son David McDavid serving first as Chief of Police and now Mayor. Many of her former students have gone on to become teachers, business owners, and community leaders, all shaped by the warmth and wisdom she provided in their early years.

Though Miss Myrtle is stepping away from daily classroom life, her legacy will live on through the generations she helped guide and inspire. "I'm just glad she was able to retire on her own terms and see her lasting legacy," Mayor McDavid says, while acknowledging that she really misses the kids - and misses playing cabbage softball, box hockey, and ping pong with them. 

Meanwhile, BREC's preschool program continues to be a beacon of early childhood education in Zachary, offering a place where young children can learn, grow, and form lasting friendships.

For those interested in giving their children the same strong start that Miss Myrtle provided for decades, BREC Beginnings remains a trusted resource for families in the community. Her presence will surely be missed, but the love and dedication she poured into her work will never be forgotten.