"Everything she does is kids first, kids first, kids first,” said Riley Welch, reading specialist at Sherrard Elementary.

That sums up how colleagues, former students, and even family describe Connie Brown — and it’s why she’s being honored as Sherrard’s April Tiger Talent recipient. After 34 years teaching second grade in the very same classroom at Sherrard Elementary, Mrs. Brown will retire at the end of this school year, leaving behind a legacy stitched into the heart of our community.

"She doesn’t want Tiger Talent," Jackie Kelly, 4th grade teacher said with a smile, "But she deserves it." In typical fashion, Mrs. Brown shied away from the spotlight — preferring instead to let the focus remain on the hundreds of students she’s taught over more than three decades. Sherrard Elementary Principal Casey Wyant estimates that Connie Brown has shaped the lives of more than 600 students — about 20 every year.

"Former students are now the parents bringing their own kids to her classroom," said Wyant, describing the generational connection Mrs. Brown fostered simply by staying true to her love of teaching year after year.

Several of her coworkers grew up under her influence. "She was literally my second-grade teacher," said Welch, "She’s the reason I became a teacher." 

“Growing up, my mom inspired me to want to teach too," said Kate Brown, substitute teacher and Mrs. Brown’s daughter - speaking to the impact her mom had not just at school, but also at home.

Students remember her for her calming presence and her deep love of reading. "She inspires the kids to want to read," said library aide Karen Millichamp. "They come into the library asking for the Shiloh series, the one and only Ivan, Junie B. Jones — all because Mrs. Brown read those stories with them and made them come alive."

Mrs. Brown’s legacy is visible in the traditions she helped build — from second-grade gingerbread houses to Halloween costumes shared with her teaching team. "We were the stepsisters and stepmother from Cinderella once," recalled fellow second grade teacher Haley Dyal, "Those memories are part of what made working with her so special."

As her colleagues put it best, Mrs. Brown’s retirement brings a bittersweet feeling to Sherrard. "It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later," said longtime friend and colleague, Kathy Slattery, supervisor. "She’s always got a friend in me."

While the hallways will feel emptier without her, Mrs. Brown’s influence will continue — in every student she encouraged to love reading, every young teacher she mentored, and every colleague who watched her put kids first, always.

Congratulations, Mrs. Brown. Your heart, your voice, and your steadfast presence will always be part of Sherrard’s story.

 

She was honored during the April Board of Education meeting. Superintendent Dr. Carl Johnson explained he implemented the ‘Tiger Talent’ award for: “...those who model, build and encourage positive character qualities - speaking into students’ lives by word and deed that will resonate for years to come and help guide them to become the leaders and contributing community members of tomorrow.” She received a golden metal apple with “Tiger Talent” inscribed to commemorate her dedication to Sherrard Schools."