Haywood Elementary’s Career Day was a smashing success, but it could not have happened if it were not for Mrs. Cheri Velotta. She started Career Day in 1995 and has been the mastermind behind it since. Mrs. Velotta is an exceptional teacher who will be retiring after this year. She has taught for 39 years in grades ranging from first to seventh. She has spent 22 years of those years in second grade, which is the grade she is currently teaching. She will be leaving us to enjoy her hobbies of sewing, smocking, scrap booking, and spending time with her six grandchildren, ranging from ages one to 11.

Cheri has two sons. Jason, who is married to Dana, is the Christ Church Associate Pastor in Brownsville; and Jamie, who is married to Brandi, is an electrical engineer for Boeing and lives in Huntsville, Alabama. She has a wonderful husband, Ted, to whom she has been married for 40 years this November. Mrs. Velotta will be greatly missed, because she is not just a fabulous teacher, she is also a great friend and coworker.