After 31.5 years, teacher Jill Southworth will be retiring from Millard but not from education. She is moving to Florida where she will continue working as a speech and language pathologist in a public school.

When asked about how she decided to become a speech pathologist she said, “I’ve always wanted to work in medicine. That is why I became a speech pathologist.”

Southworth said she loves the staff community here.

“We all like each other as a staff member,  and it’s kind of a family and always has been.”

Southworth will be fondly remembered as a friend and mentor to the other staff members, including Principal Heidi Weaver.

“She was a wonderful mentor,” Weaver said. “She taught me the ropes on how to do things the right way, and more importantly, though, how to interact and care for our students.”

When asked about what she would miss the most about our community here she said, “Oh, the kids. The kids are the best. Yes, kids and the people I work with. My department is top notch, and everybody in here is great!”

She said she knows she will miss this community and all that she has accomplished here but is also looking forward to what she will do for more students, just in a new (warmer) place.