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Sue Neville
Preparing the Heads, Hearts and Hands of Children
Sue Neville is one of those fortunate people who can’t wait to get to work every day. She never doubted that she wanted to be a teacher, and she never wakes up wishing she was headed anywhere but her classroom. As the Director of Trinity Pre-School in Jackson, her greatest joy is spending her days and her energy with pre-school children ages 12 months to 5 years.
“When you are touched by the soul of a child,” Sue shares, “you suddenly realize the eternal significance of these precious years. Then, no other task on earth seems quite as important or meaningful as raising, training, and guiding children through these developmental experiences. Surely there is no greater service than that of teaching and leading little children.”
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Sue and her husband John, an executive with State Capital Corporation, grew up in McComb and were childhood sweethearts. They attended Ole Miss together and have been married for 43 years. Sue shares that John has been wonderfully supportive, has offered great advice when asked, and he expresses respect and appreciation for her heart’s investment in her work.
The couple has two wonderful daughters; Lynn, 42, lives in Oxford, and Shelly, 40, lives in Memphis. Sue and John are also the proud grandparents of five grandchildren—four girls and one boy—ages 8 to 15. |
Sue’s first teaching job was at Jackson’s St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. With her two young daughters in pre-school at Broadmeadow Methodist Church, Sue could be home when they were home. When John’s work moved the family to Hattiesburg in the early 1970s, Sue taught 4 year olds before becoming the director of the First Presbyterian pre-school program.
The Neville’s moved back to Jackson in 1977, and Sue was asked to serve as director of the well established Broadmeadow Methodist Pre-School. She stayed for 19 years, built warm memories and developed lasting friendships with her students and their families. Many of those pre-schoolers have families of their own now, and it is one of the delights of her life when they enroll their children in “Mrs. Neville’s” school. Some former students are even teaching with Sue!
| Becky Oakes, a Trinity teacher today, is an alumna of the Broadmeadow days, and her three children have all attended Sue Neville’s extraordinary programs. “My memories of pre-school are of warm smiles and big hugs from the teachers,” Becky explains fondly. “I remember we felt very loved and had a great sense of who we were, and I wanted that for my children too! We teach our students about God and we sing great songs. They know they are loved and that God loves them!” |
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Sue’s goals include creating a program that prepares the heads, hearts and hands of her students. Her academic foundation teaches children to respect others and to have a kind heart. Classes are small, and each child receives lots of attention. Her child-centered program recognizes that each child is different and special, and each child has something to celebrate. Sue believes that encouragement is a gift and we can all afford to give it!
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It has always been her priority to make her school a very special place where children love to come each day to learn and where parents are confident their little ones will be cared for and loved. Sue explains that there are many wonderful programs in Jackson, even more than in previous years, and she feels especially fortunate when given the opportunity to work with the parents, children, and teachers in her program because she values the relationships that evolve. She wants—and needs—to know the children and their parents, and what is going on in their lives. She believes they are on a journey to work together and to grow and learn each day.
“We want to help children discover the special gifts God has given them, and help them as they journey through life,” shares Sue. “Children will learn and grow at every bend, sometimes stumbling, but always moving toward the best within them for God’s glory.” |
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Sue and her teachers start each day helping their young students out of the car seats as parents bring them to school. They lend a hand with backpacks and lunch boxes for older children, while younger children are helped or carried into their classrooms. Trinity Pre-School classrooms are bright and cheery and filled with toys and books and child-size tables and chairs. The teachers are so friendly and welcoming, you wish you could stay and play—at least until snack time!
Those that work with Sue say that she shares her full attention and genuine interest in everyone. She always starts the faculty meetings with prayer and has a thought of the day ready to share before she begins the meetings.
Evie Hines, Sue’s assistant, has known Sue for about eighteen years. “She is a gifted leader, manager, counselor, and friend,” shares Evie. “Every parent and each staff member feels that they can come to Sue with anything, whether it is parenting advice, a personal problem, a shoulder to cry on, or to share in a celebration. She gives us her utmost attention, regardless of the many things going on around her!” |
“When I think of Sue, I think of kindness and a tender heart,” shares Trinity’s music teacher Connie Taylor. “Sue’s smile is contagious and the children adore ‘Miss Nebble.’” Connie says it has been a blessing and a privilege to work for such a wonderful person.
In Sue’s bright, colorful office, filled with photos, stuffed animals and lots of children’s books, her warm, sweet smile lights up the room, and her energy and enthusiasm are infectious. Her eyes sparkle when she talks about special programs and events for her students.
| For October Harvest season, there is a costume parade. Sue dresses up as Mother Goose, and nothing scary is allowed! The teachers and students form a parade through the school halls and outside, where parents wait with cameras and great anticipation. At Christmastime the 4 and 5-year-old children read Bible verses and the Christ story, and sing fun Christmas songs. The pre-school joins in the Trinity Church community programs for special events such as their Halloween Carnival and Christmas program. |
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In the spring, there is a castle at the entrance of the school, for Fairly Tale Day. The halls for the 3-year-old classrooms become forests, and their classrooms are decorated in various fairy tale themes. The teachers read stories and serve snacks related to their class fairy tale, and all the 3 year olds visit each other’s classrooms. Not one to miss out on the fun, Sue dresses up as Snow White! Eyes sparkling excitedly, Sue shares that “We can all work together to help our children be happy with who and what they are. We can give them a zest for life and learning, and the confidence and courage to try new things!”
Several years ago, when one of the 3-year-old class teachers was ill, Sue stepped in and taught the class for a year. Sue contends—and her teachers believe—that if you stop learning today, you stop teaching tomorrow. Teaching while maintaining her director responsibilities made for a busy but wonderful year!
Helen Moffat worked with Sue for 30 years, and recently retired from teaching music at Trinity Pre-School. “Sue is such a gentle and precious person,” says Helen. “I was always amazed at her patience, as a director and a teacher. She could be very firm but also very gentle with the children and they loved her.”
“Children are one-third of our population…and all of our future,” Sue shares. “As important as our obligations at work will be, our connections with our children and grandchildren are the most important investments we will ever make. There is nothing more special or more precious than time that a parent or grandparent spends in prayer with God on behalf of a child. At the end of our lives, we will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. We will regret time not spent with a child. Our success as families, and as a society, depends on what happens inside our homes.”
Passion for her work, and love for the children has kept Sue involved for over thirty years. Sue is grateful for the children and all the ways they lace our lives with laughter and fill our hearts with joy. Her prayer is that God will wrap His great arms around these children, draw them close to Him, and be there when they stand at the great crossroads of right and wrong. She loves to tell parents that she wants to give their children a good beginning, because there is no end to what they can accomplish!
Susan Deaver is a freelance writer. She and her husband Mac live in Madison.
Sue’s Favorite Bible Verse
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. -Proverbs 22:6
Sue’s Pick
All I really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten, by Robert Fulghum
Sue’s Morning Prayer
Sue wrote this a number of years ago. Trinity Pre-School students say a devotional and this prayer every morning in their classrooms.
Our Morning Prayer
I believe in God above
I believe in Jesus’ love.
I believe His spirit too,
Comes to teach us what to do.
I believe that I must be
Kind and gentle, Lord,
Like thee.
Amen
Q&A with Sue Neville
MCL: What significant changes have you seen in your role as a pre-school teacher since you began three decades ago and today?
Sue: The big difference is that we seem to have even more involvement with our families. Mom and Dad are so busy, some with two jobs going, that it takes all of us working together to meet all the needs of the child. It is “a village” of people, caring for, sharing with, and learning from each other. Even the best of pre-schools, however, are not a substitute for the family. Everything starts in the home.
MCL: What are the most notable things you see as occurring at home that make this generation of pre-schoolers different from earlier ones?
Sue: Computers, video games, etc., have affected communication skills. I tell parents, “Please UNPLUG your children—send them outside to play.” All the electronic gadgets can be a positive force, but must be used properly. The “thinking” person is usually a product of an environment in which ideas are developed as the result of human interaction. Children need other activities, too. As Barbara Bush once said, “Your success as a family—our success as a society—depends on what happens inside your house!
MCL: In our busy world, where two parents are working—I guess it is hard to create quality time. Your thoughts?
Sue: Give your children your full focused attention, no matter what you are doing together. That is what they crave most.
MCL: Do you ever find yourself agonizing, praying, or worrying about one of these little people who is having a hard time? How do you see your role then?
Sue: When children have struggles, our hearts turn instantly to comforting families and praying for God’s help. We never doubt that we can all work together to help him get over the bump. Sometimes we need outside help, but we all stick together. Trinity has a Mom’s Prayer Chain who constantly pray for our children and their families. What a peace this brings to all.
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