Will Downing, now a teacher at Rockfield Elementary School, participated in the Community Education after-school program at McNeill Elementary as a student from kindergarten through the fifth grade.
His experience with the program influenced his decision to pursue education as a career.
“I was able to gain the ability to make a variety of friends from different backgrounds and make valuable relationships with adults that were in our backyard at WKU,” Downing said.
“Community Ed prepared me for my current position because it helped me get an early start on relationships and the value of giving each child a chance no matter what the circumstances are,” Downing added.
As a student, Downing liked most that he could spend time in the after-school program catching up on homework and spending time with his friends after a long day of school.
“Karen Manley directed our program at McNeill and had a positive influence on me from a young age because of the way she cared for her students and staff,” Downing said.
“She has always been big on relationships and that had a great impact on me.”
Downing is pictured here with his fiancée and fellow teacher, Madison McKee.