After more than three decades of dedicated service, beloved educator Mrs. Julie Cowan has closed the classroom door on an extraordinary career in education—leaving behind a legacy rooted in compassion, high expectations, and a deep love for children.
Mrs. Cowan devoted 33½ years to the school system, beginning her career as a third-grade teacher at CWC before transferring to kindergarten, where she found her calling. For the past 2½ years, she has served students through Kindergarten RTI. She has worked alongside numerous instructional assistants who helped support her mission, including Fayrene Denton, Tracy York Murrell, Faylene Streeval, Belinda Rice, Shirley Moss, and Laura Dowdy.
When asked what she loved most about teaching, Mrs. Cowan didn’t hesitate. “It’s exciting every day. Every day is different,” she shared. Above all, she cherished teaching children how to read, watching confidence grow as skills clicked into place.
What she will miss most are the moments that can never be replicated—the little hugs, the heartfelt “I love you, Mrs. Julie,” and the unforgettable “lightbulb moments” when learning finally takes hold. “I will miss the giggles, the fun of learning, and the innocence that this school carries,” she said.
One memory that will always stay with her is moving to a new school, a transition that came with challenges and growth. “It was hard in so many ways,” she reflected, “but I will always remember my time at Col. Wm. Casey.”
Mrs. Cowan hopes her students remember that she loved them deeply, believed in them, and encouraged them to try hard things. “Easy things teach us nothing new,” she often reminded them—a message that extended beyond the classroom.
Over the years, she witnessed many changes in education, with technology being the most significant. While acknowledging its impact, her focus always remained on connection, effort, and learning from the heart.
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. Mrs. Cowan was honored as the 2009 Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Adair County Chamber of Commerce and was inducted into the Louie B. Nunn Hall of Fame in 2025, a testament to her lasting influence on students and colleagues alike.
As she looks toward retirement, Mrs. Cowan plans to enjoy a slower pace—relaxing at home, gardening, spending time with family, and loving on her dog, Bella. A new chapter awaits her as well: in March, she will proudly step into the role of “Mimi,” spending precious time with her granddaughter.
When asked how she would like to be remembered, her answer was simple and powerful:
“My expectations for kids and adults were high. Always do the best job you can possibly do—and be happy doing it.”
Mrs. Cowan’s impact will live on in every child who learned to read, every student who tried something hard, and every heart she touched along the way.
Laramie Pelston had this to say about Mrs. Julie, “ I had the great opportunity to have Mrs. Julie as my 3rd grade teacher. I will always remember how she made learning fun, especially for learning multiplcation facts with a reward of an ice cream Sunday. I have also had the opportunity to have Mrs. Julie as a colleague, where I have been able to learn from her passion for student learning.”
Bridget Rowe commented, “I've never worked with a more passionate educator when it comes to early childhood education. Julie always sought to get the most out of her students and had the most creative ways to make learning engaging and fun. She was always very encouraging and believed in all students' ability to learn.”
Laura Dowdy added, “It was such a pleasure working with Julie. Her love for children is undeniable. Julie knew exactly what each child needed to be successful. I learned so much in the years I worked with her.”
Angie Hixson stated, “Julie has always shown great leadership as a teacher. She has been a wonderful friend and coworker for many years. Her presence will be missed a lot at school.”
Tobie Harmon shared, “Julie is truly one of a kind! She has such a heart for children and a passion for watching them learn! She has been a wealth of knowledge for me throughout the years and an educator I truly look up to. I will miss her laugh, her friendship, her knowledge and her humor so much!”
