A Joy-ful sendoff
KELLOGG — Monday night was a night to remember at Kellogg High School as Joy Persoon gave her final performance as the Kellogg School District’s choir director.
The event was really a celebration Persoon’s resounding impact on the district.
Persoon has been working for the Kellogg School District for 43 years, as everything from a choir director to drama teacher and it was everything she had hoped it would be.
“The most rewarding part of teaching is the kids. Working around them really does keep you thinking young and moving,” Persoon said. “The other part I have loved is all of the people I have worked with that have become lifelong friends.”
Persoon’s concert featured singers from many of her classes from over the years, once again demonstrating that her impact on students has always transcended the hallways of the schools and greatly benefited the local communities.
“I will always remember how the parents and families supported me. I have taught three generations now and I love seeing these people everywhere and they are all kind and have kind words to say about my choirs,” Persoon said. “It has been the time of my life working with their children and I will miss it dearly.”
A graduate of Post Falls, Persoon joined the KSD in 1977 and immediately was teased by her new co-workers due to the rivalry that used to exist between the schools, however it quickly became clear that Persoon wasn’t going anywhere and was living up to her first name and was a joy to work with.
In fact, Persoon fit so well that she is officially “the last of the oldies” in the district.
“When I got here I was so green. Mr. Jim Seaton and the gang, Jerry Ford and Rod Thomas, had a great time teasing me and I learned to love them all,” Persoon said. “I am told I am the last of the oldies to leave. You know, the Mrs. Peterson, McKinley and D'Andre group. They were wonderful people and we had great days.”
Persoon doesn’t have grandiose plans following retirement, but is going to kick back and enjoy retired life for awhile.
Persoon has been one of the few teachers that taught from before the internet boom all the way in to the social media era, and while she doesn’t always agree or necessarily like how it has changed the education landscape, she believes the Kellogg School District is in good hands.
“I have preached this for a long time, but I have had a hard time with cellphones for these kids. It seems like things have changed so much when social media came along,” Persoon said. “There are so many things we as educators and administrators have no control of. You never know what is going to meet you when you get to school because of social media. That is hard for me to wrap my mind around and it changed the way I felt about teaching. With Nancy Larsen at the helm, I feel we have great things happening and things are on their way up. The overall feel in the district is different and the atmosphere if better for both kids and employees.”
There was a moment during Monday night’s concert where Persoon and her daughter Kenzie shared the stage together, which really recalled one of her greatest memories.
“I loved teaching in the district when my daughter taught here. I might not have seen her everyday, but knowing we were working together for the same thing in the same place was special,” Persoon said. “I am so proud of her as a teacher and a mother.”
Persoon will still be around, but her presence in the Kellogg School District will be missed.
Her love and passion for students made every event with her feel like something greater than just school choir or drama.
“I have loved this valley for so many years and want only the best for it. Thank you so much to all of you for your support over the years,” Persoon said. “All of the concerts, tostado feeds, renaissance dinners, piano lessons and of course cantatas and church choirs. I love you all and thank you and hope to see you in a different capacity around the valley. God bless.”