WE CAN STILL DO BETTER. WRAL NEWS LIVE IN RALEIGH. >> THANK YOU. >>> AFTER MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM, A FRANKLIN COUNTY TEACHER IS RETIRING BECAUSE OF COVID-19 CONCERNS. ERIN THOMAS IS LIVE OUTSIDE FREQUENT IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE LISA LAWRENCE CURRENTLY TEACHERS. THIS MUST BE DIFFICULT, AND A HUGELY DIFFICULT DECISION FOR MS. LAWRENCE. >> MOST CERTAINLY, JULIAN. >> Reporter: BEING 60 YEARS OLD AND WORKING DURING THE PANDEMIC SHE SAID IT MADE SENSE TO RETIRE RIGHT NOW. MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAME OUT TO FRANKLINTON HIGH SCHOOL AND FOUND A CREATIVE WAY TO THANK MRS. BARNES FOR HER DEDICATION IN THE CLASSROOM. >> Reporter: FORMER AND CURRENT STUDENTS OF LISA LAWRENCE HELD A SURPRISE DRIVE THE PARADE. AFTER 21 YEARS OF TEACHING THEATER ARTS OF FREQUENT IN HIGH SCHOOL, SHE HAS DECIDED TO RETIRE. SHE SAYS TEACHING THEATER VIRTUALLY JUST DOES NOT WORK. >> IT IS DIFFICULT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS. IT GETS VERY MONOTONOUS. >> Reporter: THE 60-YEAR-OLD SAYS TEACHING DURING A PANDEMIC IS RISKY. SHE NEEDS TO RETIRE TO KEEP HER FAMILY SAFE PERIOD . >> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE ON THE FENCE ABOUT TEACHING DUE TO THE PANDEMIC? >> I THINK YOU NEED TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS. THIS IS A DIFFICULT TIME FOR EVERYONE. >> Reporter: AS SHE PREPARES TO TEACH ONE LAST TIME, THE COMMUNITY REFUSED TO LET THE PANDEMIC GET IN THE WAY OF CELEBRATING MRS. LAWRENCE'S ACHIEVEMENTS. >> WE ARE REAL PROUD OF HER. SHE HAS BEEN GOOD AT HER JOB AND SHE LOVES IT. >> Reporter: MRS. LAWRENCE LAST DAY HERE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE TUESDAY. I ASKED HER HOW SHE PLANS ON SPENDING HER TIME, SHE SAYS SHE