Going back on a previous decision is never easy, and Jackie McElwain is a great example of that.
“When the virus hit, I had not sent my retirement papers in and I didn’t know if it was a good time to retire with everything up in the air,” said McElwain.
McElwain said she turned to her usual resource in times of doubt: prayer.
“I prayed that God would show me what to do. Later that day, (Kosciusko School Superintendent) Mr. Ellzey called and asked if I would consider coming back for one more year,” she said.
The second thing McElwain said she does in times of doubt is to seek the advice of her husband, Mike, who told her he believed returning as KJHS principal might be the best thing for the community and the school.
The next morning, McElwain said she had another talk with God.
“I said, ‘Now, God, this isn’t exactly what I was talking about,’” she said with a laugh. Then she got serious and asked the Lord to give her a plain answer.
Later that day, a teacher who had considered leaving for another district called McElwain and told her that she had decided to stay.
“She said to me, ‘We are a family and we need to stick together.’ I knew that was my answer,” said McElwain. “We are in uncharted waters right now (due to COVID-19). I know that stability for the staff and the kids is very important. I can put my desires aside for the school and the community.”
For her, the answer was plain. She will return to helm Kosciusko Junior High School for one more year.
