CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Cincinnati Public Schools said goodbye to its longest-serving teacher's aide Thursday.

After 42 years on the job, Virginia Summers is finally retiring at the age of 81.

"I like working with kids because I had kids and they had friends," said Summers.

A mother of eight, Summers began volunteering at her children's school in 1979.

"One time I was going to the store and they needed help at Winton Terrace Elementary and the principal asked me was I willing -- did I want a job with them?" she said.

The following year, Summers became a full-time teacher's aide at Winton Terrace, although her own kids weren't exactly thrilled.

"At first, I didn't like it because I was acting up in the sixth grade and she actually told the principal to hold me back because my grades was down," said Summers' son, Allan.

Summers went on to work at two more schools. She most recently worked at Aiken High School where she assisted a special needs teacher.

"I don't like changing schools," Summers explained.

But at the age of 81, she feels it is finally time to retire.

"It's time for me to enjoy a little of my life," she said.

"She said she would retire at 65, but 70 came, no. Seventy-five came, 80 came," said Allan Summers.

Summers was honored along with other retirees at a CPS banquet Thursday evening.

Prior to the ceremony, she learned Mayor Aftab Pureval had proclaimed this Saturday "Virginia Summers Day."

"Oh, that is great. Thank you. Thank you," Summers said upon receiving the proclamation.

Even though she's retired, Summers said she'll still likely spend some of her free time volunteering.