Kelley Rogers-Gibby is Clay County Schools Exceptional Children Program Educator of Excellence. She started with Clay Schools in 2001.
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
In addition to the teachers we have profiled the past two weeks, two other school staff members have been honored by their peers. Kelley Rogers-Gibby is Clay County Schools Exceptional Children Program Educator of Excellence and Rosemary Russo-Wells is the Teacher Assistant of the Year.
Kelley Rogers-Gibby has been with Clay County Schools since the Fall of 2001. She explained how she began working at the schools. “My aunt, Angela Palmer, is the person that initially encouraged me to consider speech-language pathology as a career,” she said. “Once I began introductory courses in this field, I knew I was where I should be. What I enjoy most about my job is helping build avenues of communication for students so they can express their needs, knowledge, ideas and interests.”
When asked about a funny memory, she laughed. “It’s hard to choose just one funny story as every day there is something comical the students say or do.”
She and her husband, Joe Gibby, have two children. Daughter, Isabella Rogers, is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill and son, Kenyon Rogers-Gibby, will be a Hayesville High School junior. “I want every student to feel that I am someone they can trust and that I will always be their advocate,” she said.
Teacher Assistant of the Year Rosemary Russo-Wells has worked in education for 10 years. The Hayesville Primary School assistant explained why she went into education. “There was a point in life where I had to re-invent my career. After lots of thought and prayer, I went back to school and enrolled in a two-year American sign language program,” she said. “As the cards fell into place, I volunteered at a school for the deaf and blind, which ultimately led to my position in the public school system. It might sound cliche, but what I enjoy the most about my job is the satisfaction and thrill of watching the kiddos grow, become confident and productive, happy adults.”
She shared a cherished story. “It was my birthday,” she said. “I was at my afternoon duty. One of my students came up to me with her hands behind her back. She said, ‘Ms. Wells, I know it’s your birthday and I thought and thought what to give you.’ She put her hand out clutching a wrinkled brown paper bag. Then said, ‘I saved you half my lunch.’ This young child had an adverse home life, was food deprived, yet had the compassion and heart to bring such joy.”
Russo-Wells and her husband, Larry, have a blended family of five adult children and eight grandchildren. “We try to visit family at every opportunity,” she said. “We enjoy long drives, getting lost on back roads, exploring the beautiful countryside. A favorite pastime is spending time with friends at barbecues and playing board games.”
She added, “As an educator, academics are key, but what’s important is the whole child. Teaching life skills, such as compassion and kindness, empathy and patience. Follow your dreams and always display gratitude.”
She ended, “Working for and with the Clay County School System, becoming a part of the community has been rewarding and satisfying. The friendships I’ve made are priceless. Of course the most precious rewards are the daily hugs and the ‘I love you’s from the students.”