After 36 years of devoted service to the field of education, Janelle Carey is retiring. Over the years her journey has been filled with meaningful connections, countless memories, and invaluable experiences. Janelle Carey’s tenure in education spans over three decades, with 23 years dedicated to serving the students, staff and families of USD 343 Perry-Lecompton. Prior to her time here, she had the privilege of working at McLouth Middle and High School for 13 years. Over the course of time Mrs. Carey has been grateful for the opportunity to make an impactful difference in the lives of many students. As Mrs. Carey transitions into retirement, she is looking forward to spending quality time with her family, particularly time with her mother, husband (John), and their children (Devin and Athena). She hopes to cherish every moment and indulge in the simple joys in life. The aspect of retirement she is eagerly anticipating is bidding farewell to the dreaded alarm clock. Waking up at the crack of dawn will soon be a thing of the past, and she is excited to embrace leisurely mornings and the freedom to set her own pace.

While Mrs. Carey is eagerly embracing the transition, she will miss the vibrant energy of the school environment and the camaraderie shared with her fellow colleagues and friends. The laughter of students, the hustle and bustle of the hallways, and the shared sense of purpose among staff members that have been the heart and soul of her career. For all of those reasons, she hoped to extend a heartfelt thanks for everyone’s unwavering support, dedication, and friendship throughout her years of service and will carry those memories with her. As Mrs. Carey has reflected on her career in education, she is filled with gratitude and countless memories and experiences that have shaped her into the educator she is today. From the days of the chalkboards and paper grade books to the era of online learning platforms and smart technology, she has witnessed firsthand the remarkable evolution of education.