Jessica Belcher works at the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville as a certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMs). She teaches Algebra II to juniors and additionally is the athletic director. She is also a 2001 graduate of Danville High School.

"As a COMs, I work with our students at KSB on how to travel safely with and without their long white canes on school campus, in residential neighborhoods, in business areas, in downtown, and how to use public transportation," she said. "Along with my role as the athletic director, I coach our boys varsity bowling team, our boys varsity swim team and I am the forensics coach.  Most of my time is spent working with our students in all my various roles!"

Belcher shared her story as a student in the Danville Independent Schools and how it got her interested in athletics, education and more.

Tell us about your Danville Schools journey. What school(s) did you attend, and what’s a highlight that stands out?

I attended Hogsett Elementary School from K-5.  I attended Bate Middle School, and I was a proud Danville Admiral for my high school career.  Ironically, one of the things that sticks out to me is that I can still sing every word of our Hogsett Dolphin Fight Song!  I also got a reality check and felt very old when I learned that I could go to the KHSAA State Finals this year to celebrate our 25th anniversary of the 2000 Admiral Football Team (I was a team manager) State Football Title. 

What aspects of your Danville Schools education helped mold you into the person you are today?

I really enjoyed my time as an Admiral. I found my love of athletics and theatre while a Danville Admiral. These have turned into passions. My role as the athletic director at KSB has been one of my greatest accomplishments. I truly love being able to help my students shine and show off all their talents and hard work. It is so rewarding to be an advocate for them and make sure they are provided the same opportunities as their peers. Athletics at KSB has truly helped me find my place, and I would have never found it without that first step as a Danville Admiral joining the soccer team, helping the football and baseball teams as a team manager, and embracing my “Most School Spirit” lifestyle.
 
Being a member of the Admiral Forensics team and in musicals/plays at Danville helped me find an escape and allowed me to be comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone.  These experiences really helped me learn to open up.  I learned the value of public speaking, and I found a hobby that I could turn to in my adult life for entertainment and an escape from reality.  
 
I also had the pleasure of student teaching at Hogsett and Danville High School, and working as a paraeducator at Jennie Rogers Elementary. These two experiences were a great stepping stone into education. It took time for me to find my path and passion in the job world. Through these two experiences, I was able to learn from some of the best educators on what it means to be present daily, how to build the best relationships with your students and colleagues, and what it truly means to be an educator.  I will forever be grateful to all the individuals that helped me through those times.  I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Are there specific instances/relationships that stand out to you as having an impact on your success since graduating?

I had the greatest pleasure of being one of Steve Meadows’ forensics kiddos for my four years in high school. I learned so much from Mr. Meadows about acting and public speaking, and I even learned good dad jokes before they were a thing. The puns never stopped! I had the distinct honor of working under Coach Sam Harp’s leadership as a football manager my senior year. I witnessed what a great leader looks like through Coach. He set high expectations and made sure you met them. He respected every member on the sideline, regardless of their role. He expected a lot of his teams, but was always there to praise you and pick you up. And, well, who will ever forget him as the voice of 'God' in our production of Little Shop of Horrors? There are so many adults who I could single out and pinpoint a lesson I learned from each of them (Ms. Dexter, Ms. Scott, Ms. Calvert, Ms. Nellie McKnight, Ms. Boyd, Mr. Mojesky, Ms. Sanders, Ms. Goodwin, and on, and on). Danville Schools truly provided me the opportunity to learn under some of the greatest educators I have ever had, and I owe all my success to their leadership, guidance, and example.

What advice would you give to a parent who was choosing an education path for their child?

Danville Schools shaped me into who I am today.  I can attribute all of my successes and all of my strategies to overcome from someone I encountered in the Danville schools.  Although small (my graduating class was only 82), we were mighty. I have been out of high school almost 25 years and still think back on this system and how it helped me grow into the person I am today.  I am truly grateful my parents graduated as Admirals so that I could be an Admiral. Danville Schools offered me so many opportunities to explore every passion I had, and even helped me gained new passions I didn’t know I needed. There is nothing like that Admiral Pride.
 
And never forget: “Hogsett School is so cool, we’re the school that’s going to rule, as those Dolphins go Marching along ...”

---

This piece is part of an ongoing series telling the stories of our Danville Alumni! We share a new alumni story once a month, and we want YOUR story. If you or someone you know is a Danville graduate and an excellent representative of the Danville community and the idea of #SuccessForALL, whether they live in Danville or not, please fill out the form linked below. You can also show your Danville Alumni pride on social media with the hashtag #DanvilleAlumniStories

Alumni Stories Suggestion Form