Haraway, Jewell Praised At School Board Meeting

Stephanie Haraway and Beth Jewell, who retired from Lexington City Schools during the 2023-2024 school year, were recognized at the Lexington School Board’s June 4 meeting.

Haraway taught special education for 25 years, beginning her career in education as a paraprofessional, then as a teacher in Alleghany County before coming to Lexington in 2004.

At the meeting, Superintendent Rebecca Walters shared what other teachers and staff members said about Haraway.

“When asked how Stephanie will best be remembered after serving in Lexington City Schools for many years, several of her colleagues had these things to share: ‘Stephanie is extremely thoughtful, always remembers special or significant days in people’s lives, is very generous with her time,’” said Walters.

‘“I think Stephanie will best be remembered for her gentle caring heart and for always being willing to take on the important job of working with our most vulnerable learners,’” another shared.

Walters also shared Haraway’s own thoughts on leaving the division.

“When we asked Stephanie what she will miss most about teaching, Stephanie shared with us the following thoughts: ‘Most of all, I will miss the relationships and the friendships I have made with the students I have taught,’” Walters said.

She relayed Haraway’s parting message to her students. “’I hope they will always remember, you may be one person in the world, but you may be the world’s one person.”

Nurse Beth Jewell was also honored.

Jewell joined Lexington City Schools in 2001, working in Waddell Elementary until 2014. She returned to Lylburn Downing Middle School in 2021, helping the school through the challenges of Covid.

“She rejoined us truly in our hour of need, right at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lylburn Downing Principal Abbot Keese. “At a time when you could not find a school nurse, she came to the rescue.

“One college pointed out how she steered us through Covid, ‘steered all of our staff and students through the biggest collective crisis that we didn’t even know how we would weather, bringing a sense of calm to an unprecedented situation,’” Keese shared.

Others at the school spoke of Jewell’s willingness to help and her positive attitude.