ANNISTON — After nearly three decades of shaping young minds in the Anniston City School System, third-grade teacher Michelle McGrady is preparing to retire. But for McGrady, retirement doesn’t mean slowing down — it means diving headfirst into her true passion: painting.

“I’m going to devote all of my time to my art,” she said, standing in the middle of her backyard studio, where color practically dances from every surface.