Beech Tree News Network

A ribbon cutting on Tuesday, March 11, at the Butler County Early Childhood Center (BCECC).  The event marked the official opening for the new center, formerly the home of Morgantown Community Church. 

Butler County Schools' Superintendent Robert Tuck spoke of the importance of Early Childhood Education, and said hopefully the district will  soon be able to start transporting this age group. The new early childhood center also addresses the overcrowding situation at Morgantown Elementary.

The Butler County Board of Education also named the facility's auditorium the Tina Porter Training Room in memory of former preschool teacher Tina Porter, who passed away after her battle with cancer.  Porter's family was present for the event.

"On behalf of the family of Tina Porter, I would like to thank the Butler County School District for this thoughtful and heartfelt honor. Although I can't find adequate words to thank you, I'd like to take a moment to try," said Audrey Pendley, Porter's daughter.  

Pendley read the following statement:  

"My mom grew up playing "teacher" as a child. She had a deep love for learning and teaching and truly loved her job at Morgantown Elementary, where she taught several grades, the last being preschool. She believed children learned best by "doing" and being hands-on and engaged. When my son Porter was about 2 years old, she brought over the book, "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and Big Hungry Bear." She read it to him several times- using multiple voices, gestures, and sound effects. They even went into the woods by our house for a "bear hunt." They came back in, and Porter asked to reread the book. To my surprise, by the night's end, Porter could fill in many words to the book and retell the story from start to finish. Proudly, Mom said, "THAT is how you make a reader- you have to make the child believe the book was written just for them." To this day, Porter can still quote most of that book.

Proverbs 17:17 tells us, "A friend Loveth at all times."That's what you all were to her- a friend. 

Someone who loved her when she was the energetic, engaging teacher who did cartwheels down the hall- and who still loved her when she was fighting the battle of her life from a hospital bed. I can remember several times we would be having a hard day, and no one knew outside of the hospital room- but her phone would buzz, with one of you with just a message to lift her spirits, and that's what it did. Again, "Thank you" just isn't enough.

She spent six days at the Hospice House. On the last day she spoke, the doctor asked her what she did for a living. She whispered that she taught preschool. He laughed and commented about how full her hands must have been. She smiled and whispered, "I would've done it for free." And she would have because she loved children, education, and the Butler County School District. Thank you for loving her, honoring her, and keeping her memory alive."