Long time FE Miley teacher, Demrece Keller, will be retiring at the end of this school year after 20 years in the Big Sandy classroom and many additional years as a title one employee at the beginning of her career.
Several parents have asked Mrs. Keller to stay a few more years so their kids will have her as their teacher, but she explained that the time for retirement has come. She explained that she didn’t start teaching as a 22-year old. She started at FE Miley in her 40s.
Talking about her 23 years at FE Miley, Demrece shared that she has grown as a teacher by accumulating the best resources from years past and reusing material that was effective, and then added new materials as trends in education have changed. Her experience has demonstrated to her that, “Kids need structure. I tried to create an atmosphere that’s quiet. Not that we’re always quiet, but it’s an atmosphere that they know I expect it, and I think that’s been helpful. Some kids just can’t concentrate when it’s noisy and a lot of stuff going on.” As a parent, I have observed the effect of a high educational bar and quiet atmosphere has had on my kids when they were in Mrs. Keller’s 4th grade class.
Demrece explains that she will miss aspects of her work at Big Sandy. “I’ll miss the students.” Throughout conversations with Mrs. Keller, it’s easy to see her love for the students when she talks about her class and years of educating kids. Perhaps she put it best a few years ago in the Mountaineer teacher profile: “I thank God daily for having a job like this. It’s wonderful. To be able to work with inquisitive minds is truly a blessing. My most favorite thing about teaching is the students. I refer to them as my kids sometimes. They are very near and dear to my heart. To me, that’s my most favorite part of it.”
For students with fond memories of Mrs. Keller lamenting that they will miss her in the classroom, she explains that, “I also want to come back and sub. I’d like to sub in both buildings. I’m looking forward to subbing at the high school just to see some of my former students again.” She remarked that since Covid, students who have moved on to the high school have visited less and less, so the opportunity to spend time at the high school is one that she is looking forward to.
“I’ll miss the staff. We’re pretty blessed. I think we have good staff. I’ve really enjoyed working with them. I’ve had a job that I love to do. One time my daughter said to me, ‘Aren’t there days that you just don’t want to get up and go to work?’ And I said, ‘No, I’ve never had that.’ So how blessed am I to have a job that I love that much?!”
Regarding the highlights of her time at FE Miley, Mrs. Keller explained that, “the lasting friendships that I have with with some of my students. In addition, having worked with some great people. I formed some good friendships and just appreciate the fact that our school works hard to help the kids succeed.”
Asked about her retirement plans, Demrece explained: “I’m headed back to the ranch to work with my husband and help on the ranch.” She quickly added that she also plans to, “Spend time with my grandkids, that will probably be my number one. My daughter, Tenley and her husband Joe are moving back home, and he’s going to be working as a PA at the hospital. So I’m going to help Tenley with the kids and the horses.” She is also looking forward “to being free to go up and spend some time with my other grandson Anders up in Havre.” She is looking forward to being able to “take in some of his programs and activities.”
