After 28 years of teaching at Nederland Elementary School (NES) Jill Morimitsu-Mahon is closing the gradebook, putting the kid-sized scissors away, and saying goodbye to Baby Echo (Baby Echo helps kids learn phonics). She is retiring. She is known to everyone at NES and in the Nederland community as Miss Jill.

Before coming to Nederland Miss Jill taught for three years in Colorado Springs, three years in Summit County and one year in Broomfield. When her husband Brian accepted a job at Eldora Mountain Resort they moved to Nederland. At NES Miss Jill has been a reading specialist teacher, literacy teacher, and she has taught Kindergarten, first, second and fourth grades. She also has taught physical education at Gold Hill Elementary. Much of her time at NES has been spent teaching first grade. Miss Jill also coordinated the science fair at the school and the after school sports program for a number of years.

When asked what some of the special and proud teaching moments have been Miss Jill leaned back in her chair and looked up to take time to think. She thoughtfully responded, “Getting to see kids going through Kindergarten all the way through high school in this community and getting to talk with them along the way. I love seeing kids in activities outside the classroom.”

Miss Jill not only is a strong supporter of the schools, she also supports the Nederland community. She will be at the community center, a musical, or a dance recital supporting her friends, or her students, or playing pickleball.

At NES everyone knew that if they had Miss Jill as a teacher they would be having a class pet. The class pet was a guinea pig. Miss Jill says that she has had seven guinea pigs through the years.

For some teachers when retirement nears one can tell they are tired and ready to move on. This is not the case with Miss Jill. She has never lost her great love of learning and teaching. This is a part of Miss Jill’s character that her colleagues can see and admire about her. Miss Jill says that she has high expectations of herself and her husband used to say, “Give 110%. If you’re going to do it, do it right.”

This was obvious to the teachers at NES. Second grade teacher Meaghan McLuckie says of Miss Jill, “Jill’s car is the last one to leave the parking lot even on Fridays. She truly cares for the kids and has been a mentor to so many of the teachers.”

Jamie Curry taught first grade with Miss Jill for a number of years. She had this to say, “Jill is a strong woman. She is a dedicated teacher who has a unique ability to form friendships with students for a lifetime. She stands up for what she believes in, is adventurous, and open to new ideas. She has a great sense of humor, and she is a wonderful friend.”

When asked what she will miss, Miss Jill said she will miss the kids. She will miss seeing the kids’ faces and eyes light up with understanding when they master a concept or really start reading.

In retirement Miss Jill plans to play more tennis and pickleball. She plans to take piano lessons again. She will also volunteer and substitute teach at NES.

Her advice for students at NES and for all students is, “Keep on learning no matter how old you are because that opens your heart and mind.”

Miss Jill not only says these words, she lives them. A few years ago she traveled to Japan then came back and taught an in-depth unit about Japanese culture in her class. It was personal for her and the students got a glimpse into a culture that is very different from the one they live in.

Miss Jill’s advice for her colleagues is to continue to love the kids. “Let them reinvigorate you.”

Rachel, a current third grader, was a student of Miss Jill’s when she was a first grader. Rachel shared her thoughts, “What I love about Miss Jill is that she is always flexible and she is really kind. She can be strict, but she is really helpful. I like that she is left-handed and so am I. She is full of laughter and she is full of love. That is what I like about Miss Jill.”

With so many years of teaching Miss Jill is thankful for all her teammates and the friendships she has made. She is thankful for the support her husband and daughters gave her for so many years. She has also been very grateful for all the kindness and love that was shown and continues to be shown to her and her daughters since her husband was killed.

Earlier this month Miss Jill was honored by the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) with an Impact Award. This is a way BVSD recognizes “superheroes in education.” From the reading groups to math lessons to crafts to letter formation Miss Jill has always been committed to each student learning and growing. Miss Jill would often have a song to go along with a lesson to help the students learn about money or the continents. Her ability to bring fun and interactive learning into the classroom creates an atmosphere of positive learning and expression.

Thank you for all the years you have given Nederland Elementary School Miss Jill. Your absence will be felt at NES. We will miss your sense of humor, your perspective on issues, your organization, and your vast knowledge. You will be missed.