JUPITER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL – Mrs. Jackie Copeland is the face of Jupiter Christian School. Right as you walk in the school, her positive attitude and her kind words make you feel loved and welcome even if you come in late.
Mrs. Copeland in total has been at JCS for 23 years. She was a parent volunteer at Jupiter Christian and started that in August of 1993. Mrs. Copeland worked in the aftercare for 6 months and this started in 2002 and she did this from January to the end of that school year. She took a break and then she decided to come back in 2003. After 23 years of dedicated service, Mrs. Copeland announced her retirement which will occur this Christmas.
I asked Mrs. Copeland why she was retiring and she shared, “I believe that God gave me a clear direction that it is time to switch seasons.” After she retires she looks forward to taking walks on the beach, getting back into Bible studies in the day, taking care of her husband, and in general being a better neighbor. She is very exited for all of these new opportunities throughout her day that she will have but she will also miss all the opportunities she had here like meeting students, parents and making new friendships every day. She mentioned, “It is a walk of faith that we take and we step out in faith when we are not sure what the next thing is.”
Working at JCS has changed her a great deal as a person by making her realize in many situations that life is short and precious and you should always take the opportunity to share a kind word and Jesus. She shared that one person might cross her threshold once and never return but someone might cross her threshold every day but one day never come back.
One of Mrs. Copeland’s favorite memories at JCS was sharing the gospel with someone who is now with Jesus. She is confident that she made her feel that she knew where she would go, and Mrs. Copeland knows where she is right now for sure. She feels so blessed to have been a part of someone’s journey to Heaven. She said, “If you feel prompted by the Holy Spirit you just need to give them Jesus and ask them, ‘Do you know my best friend? Let me introduce you to Him.'”
Overall we all will greatly miss Mrs. Copeland and she will miss everyone here. We are truly saying goodbye to a JCS treasure!
