At the close of our school year 4 of our ACPC faculty and staff celebrated their retirement. They include Darlene Burke (Cafeteria staff), Chad Myers (P.E. Teacher), Joyce Nuckolls (Preschool), and Lisa Petty (Cafeteria Staff). You can read further about each one including information about their years of service, their plans for the future, and a statement about them from their peers.
Darlene Burke
Darlene has worked in Adair County Schools for 20 years. She was a kindergarten assistant for 5 years with Amber Bledsoe and has also worked 15 years in the cafeteria.
Something that she has loved about her job is simply getting to spend time with her co-workers and the kids. She has really enjoyed getting to know them through the years. Hugs and the words like “thank you” have made her time with us extra special. The kids and co-workers will definitely be missed. She will never forget the wonder people at ACPC as well as the laughs and tears that were shared together. She hopes that students always remember how much she cared for each of them.
After retiring, Darlene plans to spend more time with her grandchildren and family. She enjoys camping and thrift shopping and will have more time for that.
Lisa Petty said, “Darlene is known as Shorty. She is loud, to the point, and one of my very best friends! I will miss her.”
Ruth Ann Clements said, “Darlene Burke is the greatest big sister a girl could ever ask for!!!! I'm sure going to miss her at ACPC! Enjoy your retirement Sis!”
Chad Myers
Chad has worked for Adair County Schools for 28 years. He taught special education for 1 year. He was a traveling P.E. teacher for 1 year. He worked for 14 years at Colonel William Casey Elementary and co-taught with Kathy Cox during that time. He has been the P.E. teacher at ACPC for the past 12 years. He also coached various sports in the district for 25 years.
Something that Chad loved about his job is simply the students and working with great people. He has also enjoyed the atmosphere of the school. He has loved every day. He hopes students remember that he truly cared about them and that he was FUN. He wanted their gym experience to be AWESOME. He will never forget the love he had for the kids and the way they treated him. He said that his job has been a blessing.
Something you may not know is that Chad had wanted to be a gym teacher since the 5th grade. The thing that he saw change the most over the years was definitely technology. During his career he made several accomplishments including: WKU Distinguished Educator of the Year in P.E. and Health, Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, Campbellsville University Teacher of Excellence, and Best Coach of the District.
In his free time, Chad loves spending time with family. He also loves going to church and working outside. After he retires, he want to do landscaping and enjoy more time with his wife and kids.
Josh Furkin stated, “Chad is the Best...Best Gym Teacher, Best Colleague, and Best Friend. Simply put, Mr. Myers is The Best and will be greatly missed.”
Laura Marcum said, “Chad has been a good friend over the years. I will always remember our COVID teaching days. That is when our Related Arts Team really grew close. That time was a bit awkward and scary but we tried to make it fun with a sort of Related Arts TV show. Thanks Chad for going along with my crazy ideas, costumes, etc. Do I get to keep the Mystery Box now?”--Boss Lady
Joyce Nuckolls
Joyce has been teaching preschool for 22 years and worked closely with her assistant, B.J. Brown.
She has enjoyed meeting and getting to know the kids over the years. She will miss the kiddos and the friendships she has developed with the other preschool staff. She will never forget the kids that still give her hugs and say “Hi”—even after they have gotten older. She hopes students will remember how much she truly enjoyed getting to know them and how she cared for each of them. She loved being their teacher.
One of the great accomplishments that she will remember is when the state reviewed their preschool program and they received a perfect score. One thing that has changed over the years is the requirements and expectations that are put on kids and teachers, but especially kids. Over the years, Joyce enjoyed watching kids grow and mature. She especially liked to see kids get excited about something new.
After she retires, Joyce plans to be the best grandma a little boy could ever want as well as spending time with family.
B.J. Brown said, “Joyce, not many people have the privilege to work under someone as caring and understanding as you. I am grateful for that and I definitely was blessed with the best. I'm sure going to miss you. Love Your Friend, B.J.”
Lisa Petty
Lisa has worked for the Adair County Schools for 31 years. She has been a cook, a cashier, an assistant manager, and the ACPC cafeteria manager.
She says that being with all the kids keeps you young. She will definitely miss the kids, her co-workers, and all the friends she has made. She hopes students will remember that she loved them. She will never forget the day that she was working at the high school and singed her hair from the deep fryer. She will also never forget the day she came to school wearing 2 different shoes.
In her spare time, Lisa enjoys dirt track racing, reading, and sewing all of which she plans to do a lot of in the future. She says that she will finally be able to keep the laundry caught up (LOL).
Among her accomplishments, she has received awards for passing several tests over the years. One thing that has definitely changed over the years is the food, especially with all the emphasis on whole wheat. She would like us to know that she loved her job and didn’t want to leave but her health says that it is time.
Laura Keltner said, “Petty is the BEST! She has always had a warm smile and a helpful hand waiting. I am thankful for the impact she has had on my babies and will greatly miss her at ACPC!
ACPC will miss each of them. We wish them the best of luck on their new adventures.