Walking into Connie Rose’s office, one can quickly see the focus of her life’s work: her family. The happy faces of her children and grandchildren are captured in the photographs of cherished family moments and yearly family portraits. These memories highlight her days as Rose works as the administrative assistant at Scott County School District 2.
“We have six grandchildren. Four of them are in the six schools [at Scott 2],” Rose said. “I’m happy my grandchildren go here.”
For Rose, Scott 2 is not just her employer, it is her family — in both senses of the word.
“I have a niece at Johnson Elementary School, a daughter at Lexington Elementary School, and a sister at Scottsburg Middle School,” Rose said. Her husband, Chuck, works next door as the Director of Elementary Education.
Rose’s journey at Scott 2 started when she was a child, growing up in a tiny house on Wardell Street in Scottsburg. She attended Scottsburg Elementary. And, what her family lacked in financial resources, they made up with the love they shared, she said.
“I have so many good memories growing up here,” Rose said.
One of those memories Rose will never forget is the impact her education at Scottsburg High School had on her life. While Rose was a student, she was enrolled in an intensive office lab, where students would prepare for a future as an administrative assistant, a secretary, or another position in an office. In this class, Rose learned shorthand and how to type letters on the typewriter.
“I was going to go to a business school. I tested out. The business college had nothing to offer me,” Rose said about the quality of the program she took at SHS.
Because of that class, Rose said, she never any problems finding a job in an office.
“As a 19-year-old, I was working for a president and a vice-president of a bank in Panama City, Florida,” Rose said. “[Later,] I worked in the mayor’s office. It was amazing. I’ve never not had a job. I was very well prepared.”
Twelve years after graduating from high school, Rose returned to SHS to work in the principal’s office. She found the transition from a former student to a new staff member a little awkward.
“Some of my teachers still worked there. It seemed so weird,” Rose said.
The awkwardness wore off, and Rose began developing friendships with her school family.
“I’ve seen a lot of good people come through here,” Rose said. “A lot of change. Some of the kids who graduated are board members now. I loved [my job].”
She also loved the idea of her children going to the same school where she went earlier in her life.
“I wanted my kids to grow up near my family. We made family the priority,” Rose said about choosing Scott 2.
Now, nearly 30 years after returning to Scott 2, Rose sits in her office, which is located in her former junior high school. Her children are adults. One daughter is an attorney; the other is an elementary school teacher. Most of her grandchildren attend Scott 2 schools, and her husband of 40 years works next door to her. When they are not working, the family spends their time together on the water, coasting along the lake in the family’s pontoon boat.
“I’m so fortunate to have my girls close by,” Rose said. “This has been a good job here. I’m happy here.”
At Scott County School District 2, Rose’s story is our story. Your story matters. You matter.