Christian Peterson
news@greenepublishing.com
Heather Welch was born in 1964 and grew up loving learning. She spent 35 and a half years teaching in the Madison County school system and has officially stepped down to enjoy some well-earned rest and relaxation. Welch has been an important part of the Madison County school system for many years and enjoyed teaching students of all ages. Her love for students was not only palpable but reciprocated by almost any student she came into contact with.
Welch started teaching in August, 1987, at Madison Primary School. She was only 23-years-old. She started as a first and second grade English language arts teacher. For the next 13 years, she remained at Madison Primary, teaching second grade. Then, when Madison County Central School (MCCS) was built, she made a switch. Welch moved to the library, where she taught TV Production to middle school students and assisted media specialists, Kay Kelley and Doris Murdoch. For her first three years at MCCS, Welch showed her juggling prowess by attending Florida State University to become a media specialist. The requirements for the certificate were being a teacher; 30 hours at a masters or specialist level and passing the state test. All of this on top of the fact that she only had the ability to afford one class per semester. Yet her perseverance paid off and she received her specialist degree in information studies after three years of hard work. Then in 2008, Kelley retired and Welch took over as a media specialist. A few years later, Murdoch retired as well but Welch remained.
During her time at MCCS, Welch was the TV production teacher. She also produced the Bronco Report on live TV for 17 years. Her skill didn’t end there, as she taught in the tech lab, helping students build rockets; work on lawnmower engines; lasers and robotics. Furthermore, she was the yearbook sponsor for eight years. As a ukulele player, Welch was well known for teaching songs to the elementary students, that some even sing to their children today.
Welch’s favorite part of working in the school system was the people she worked with and the students. She commented about the tremendous support she has gotten from her coworkers over the years, and how they become less like coworkers and more like family. Welch also spoke on her love for working with the students, “It has allowed me to see all the students at MCCS. Watching them grow and mature from PreK to eighth graders has given me the chance to get to know the students during these important years.” She continued, “I hope they all know how special they are to me and that I will always love them.” After 35 years, Welch is full of gratitude for a plethora of people who had helped her career. She remains thankful to God, her parents, Joe and Penny Worden, Brigitte Gudz, Allen Welch, Cooper and Caitlin Welch and Ashlyn and Travis Carter. Ultimately, she remains grateful to God for blessing her with a job she loves.
Now, her future looks bright as she focuses on being a grandma, reading books, playing outside and breaking out her ukulele. Welch hopes that her media center will remain a “small piece of heaven” for those needing a break. Somewhere where any faculty or student can come and feel welcomed and loved. “I’ve loved teaching in Madison County,” Welch stated. “I don’t think I realized how much until my final week at school. I have been very blessed to have a career that is so fulfilling.”
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, Welch was thrown a retirement party by her peers at MCCS. The library was full of people who were there to wish her good luck in her retirement. Several people stood and shared kind words and memories of her, as well as stating how much she will be missed. She was also presented with gifts by several peers and also rocking chairs from the school.
After the kind words, everyone was treated to cake and a nice arrangement of foods.