Ruralite Cafe: Published 06/26/03

By Lynn Hotaling - Associate Editor

'Trying to make lemonade'

When asked to describe Nancy Sherrill, Jackson County's assistant superintendent for the past six years, here's what Sue Nations, assistant superintendent-elect, had to say:

"I'd like to tell you about this energetic little woman I know who is the hardest worker, is as friendly as the day is long and has a tremendous sense of humor. She has the prettiest clothes - and she'll let you borrow them."

Pressed for more information, Sue said that when she was planning a trip to visit Fairview's sister school in Japan, Nancy had offered to lend her an outfit Sue had admired.

"Nancy's so genuine," Sue said of her friend and colleague. "She really is a sharing person."

Sue's description of Nancy, who will retire July 1 after 33 years with Jackson County schools, is right on the money. When I went to work at the school system's Central Office more than 20 years ago, it was Nancy who took me under her wing and introduced me to everyone.

"Nancy's always been a go-getter. She's the one people rely on," Sue said last week, and I remembered how former Title I Director Joe Hicks relied on Nancy to keep track of the reams of documentation required by the federal program.

"Nancy's the one people always talk to," Sue said. "She's so understanding that it's a role she's played a great deal."

It wasn't until my children entered public school that I really appreciated Nancy's skill as a listener. I could talk to her about whatever real or imagined difficulty I thought one of my kids was experiencing, and Nancy always listened and took me seriously. She didn't tell me I was wrong, but she never betrayed her teachers, either.

Instead, she would ask me pointed questions and bring up things I hadn't considered until she had me empathizing with whatever teacher I'd been complaining about.

"You wouldn't think Nancy has a temper, but she does," Sue said. "I call it 'righteous indignation,' and I've always thought it was justified. Nancy's a champion, not just for kids, but for what's right in schools."

That's a side of Nancy I haven't seen. What comes to mind first about Nancy is her smile and the way she makes everyone feel like they're the person she most wanted to see.

Sue had a couple of examples about Nancy's behind-the-scenes work to improve conditions for local students.

According to Sue, Nancy was a driving force behind establishing Fairview's prekindergarten classroom and opening the school's grant-funded student health center.

"It was a three-county grant, and it was written for a middle school, which (Jackson County) didn't have," Sue said. "So the other counties had facilities we didn't have. Nancy came in and picked it up and got it off the ground."

Fairview's clinic opened in January while the other counties didn't open until April, and Sue gives Nancy much of the credit for that accomplishment.

"Nancy had to do a lot of homework," Sue said of Nancy's dedication to finding space for the clinic and helping make it successful.

According to Sue, Nancy is part of a strong mountain tradition - sort of the "good earth" of Jackson County.

"Understanding how much people will miss Nancy speaks about how much she's done," Sue said.

I know I'll miss her. She's one of the first friends I made in Jackson County outside of my classes at WCU. She shepherded me through the initial confusing days of a new job, and her smile greeted me at almost every school board meeting I've covered during the past 10 years.

Nancy's sweetness, compassion, dedication and fortitude have inspired me through the years.

Sue said one last thing that pretty much defines Nancy. "No matter what the lemons are, Nancy will be out there trying to make lemonade."

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