Submitted by Lopez School

For over two decades, Alex Nellie has been teaching for Lopez School and this marks her last year. She started her career here by volunteering and doing puppet shows. Later, this expanded to working alongside Greg Ewert and Pat Burleson as the assistant and coordinator for the ARC Program.

She fondly recalls pairing up scientists and artists to help with projects and the enthusiasm that everyone brought to those experiences. After ARC, Nellie started teaching the fourth grade and later to the position of teaching third to fifth grades. Her interest in student trips and adventures lead to the annual Olympia trip. This lead also to partnerships around the island like this year’s work with the recycling program.

When asked about why she encouraged such experiential learning, Nellie leaned back fondly recalling the years of memories and chuckled before smiling broadly that it was the connections between families and students that made it worthwhile. Several colleagues note that Nellie was the host that brought new perspective teachers into the fold.

“After I was offered the job, Alex had me over for dinner and her warmth and hospitality had me know that I had made that right choice in coming to Lopez,” said Brian Goff.

Nellie looks forward to spending time with her grandchild, tilling the garden and finding new ways to work with kids outside of the school.