SAYING GOODBYE — Rebecca Kelley, right, an early childhood education instructor at the Jefferson County Vocational School, said goodbye to her preschool and high school junior student Adelynn Degarmo, before taking an intervention specialist position at Buckeye Local schools this fall. -- Contributed

BLOOMINGDALE — Rebecca Kelley has been a longtime figure in the early childhood education program at the Jefferson County Vocational School. However, when classes resume next month, she will not be at the JVS.

Kelley retired as an instructor on May 30, but will now head to the Buckeye Local School District where she will assist preschoolers as an intervention specialist. Kelly said she is looking forward to this new opportunity, but will miss working with her JVS students.

“It’s been a privilege and an honor to work at JVS the last 14 years,” she said. “I hope I have inspired a lot of little lives and showed future teachers a positive interaction.”

The New Athens resident began her career as a preschool teacher, providing early intervention through the Harrison County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She learned about the ECE program at JVS and decided it was time for a change.

Kelley has prepared an estimated 200 high-school students for potential careers in early childhood education and childcare. She conducted the preschool program, assisting 250 children. She has even seen former pupils gain employment in the childcare field. Ironically, one of her initial preschoolers returned as a high school junior taking her ECE class. Adelynn Degarmo stated she enjoyed reconnecting with Kelley and is sorry to see her leave.

“It’s sad that she is leaving, but I’m very glad I got to come back to see Ms. Kelley,” Degarmo commented. “I joined the program with a friend and was surprised to see she was the teacher. It’s a cool thought that I started my schooling and ended my junior year with her.”

Meanwhile, Kelley has led the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America student organization to approximately 12 state competitions and three national contests. Her career has spanned 33 years overall. She planned to retire, but said the opportunity at Buckeye Local came up quickly. Now, she will provide intervention for children at Buckeye North and Buckeye West Elementary schools this fall. Again, she is looking toward the future.

“I’m coming full circle,” Kelley concluded. “I’m excited about this new opportunity working with preschoolers as they transition to kindergarten, and I want to try to provide them with the best start.”

Former JVS Superintendent Todd Phillipson, along with JVS Board President Steve Bezak III, stated they are grateful to Kelley for her continued service and wish her well in her future endeavors.

“Becky took the childcare program and made some fantastic strides with the state requirements, putting out a program that shows she’s been a vital asset to the JVS as an instructor,” Phillipson remarked.

“Becky Kelley’s position will be hard to fill because she did a great job,” Bezak added.