GR preschool teacher retires

After 31 years of teaching preschool children, Green River Co-op Preschool teacher and director Debbie Varley will retire.

Varley, better known as “Miss Debbie,” started helping out in the classroom when her oldest child was in preschool. She said the preschool was truly a co-op preschool because parents were encouraged to assist and teach in the school. Varley continued to help in the classroom on a regular basis. 

Before long, the opportunity to become a substitute teacher presented itself; and Varley was glad to step in.

“Over time, I participated in early childhood education seminars and gained experience that led to a desire to be better at teaching,” Varley said. “Before I realized it, I was committed to the task of helping children develop and prepare for successful scholastic adventures. I never looked back. I just kept learning and developing skills and experience.”

Varley enjoyed working with three, four and five year olds. She said they are sponges, that absorb all the knowledge and skills that they can. Although Varley had teachers in her early school experiences that she admired, she didn’t know that someday she too could be a teacher.

“When I saw an opportunity to be in a position to have a positive influence in children’s lives and prepare them for success, my path was clear,” she said. “Then when I started to reap the rewards of watching children develop and gain social confidence, I was hooked.”

Teaching was just something that Varley was good at. Five days a week, the children arrived at the preschool full of energy and ready to learn.

“They can’t wait to greet their friends and tell us of their activities,” Varley said.

The students gather for group time and attendance. Then, they set to work going over the days of the week, seasons, themes and number and letter recognition. They also have a story time, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, play games or participate in musical activities. Each day, the children also have time for some free play and a snack. The teachers have a 20-minute break and then they do the same routine again for the afternoon class.

“I feel the school has become my identity,” she said.

Varley worked for the preschool for about seven years when another opportunity arose. Mary Loncar was the director and lead teacher during those years, but she decided to pursue other interests and the preschool’s board of directors offered Varley the chance to become a director and teacher.

“It seemed a natural progression and I was fortunate to have Mary as a role model to prepare me for the position,” she said.

Adjusting to change

Preparing children for a technology-filled school is something the teachers work on.

“We have utilized computers in one of our activity centers for many years,” she said. “The children adapt quickly to computers. We also utilize a programmable device called a BEE BOT that helps the children with counting/math and alphabet learning.”

With some assistance, the children have learned how to program the BEE BOT. The class also uses iPads to play learning games.

“We were fortunate to collaborate with school district no. 2; and have adopted the Houghton-Mifflin literacy program, in which our students get exposed to letter sounds, blending, and other skills that prepare the student for success when they encounter advanced versions of this curriculum in the public school system, she said. “This literacy program is focused at developing a life long love of reading.”

Preschool changes

Varley said records at the school indicate that it came into existence in 1977. Originally, classes took place in the Masonic Lodge building; and parents had to assist with teaching duties. Hence the name co-op, because it truly was a cooperative format in the beginning.

“As parents tended to have more conflicts, due to other employment, etc., they eventually hired additional teachers, so parents weren’t required to take a turn,” Varley said. “We still welcome parents at any time and we have great participation from our parents when we have holiday parties or special events.”

Although Varley has always worked for the Green River Co-op Preschool, it has not always been in the same location.

When Varley started working for the preschool, classes took place at the post office building on Flaming Gorge Way. Later, the preschool was moved to the lower level of the business known as the Liquor Bank on Railroad Avenue. Then, Trona Valley Credit Union acquired the building and the preschool became tenants of Trona Valley.

“Thankfully, when the credit union built their new building on Hitching Post, we were able to remain tenants and we have really appreciated the space that this facility has afforded our students,” Varley said. “My husband would focus on the challenge of moving the school and all of our equipment and supplies three times, but each time, our school got better and provided improved learning environments to the children.”

Future plans

Varley is excited to have time to complete a list of tasks she has been putting off for years. She is also ready to complete volunteer work, travel with her husband and see her grandchildren participate in activities.

Varley said she will not miss all of the responsibilities that came with being a teacher and the director of the preschool.

“We have a lot of requirements to meet and must stay in compliance with many regulations to have a safe and successful school,” she said. “It will be a bit of a relief to not have those responsibilities any longer.”  

She may not miss the responsibilities, but she will miss the kids.

“I will miss the interaction with the children. The joy and energy that children of this age exhibit is wonderful and engaging with them has kept me young in some aspects,” she said. “It is hard to think that I won’t have hugs every day and won’t have cute stories to share with my friends and family, about ‘what happened at school today’ or guess what this little boy, or girl said today. I will definitely miss the kids.”

“I have come to enjoy being greeted throughout the city as Miss Debbie by current students, former students, and parents,” Varley said. “I have had the great pleasure of teaching children of former students; and I feel honored that those parents felt that the Green River Co-op Preschool was worthy of helping their children too.”

“I will miss this part of my life experience, but I will always treasure the memories of these times,” she said.