Vanessa Fite didn’t begin her journey planning to be a teacher. Initially studying interior design in college, she later shifted to education.

“It was a major shift in my career plans as God changed my path—and well, you know the rest of the story—43 years in education later,” she said.

For over four decades, Fite has been a beloved educator in Kewanee. In May, she officially retired from the profession that shaped her life.

Born and raised in Kewanee, Fite attended Wethersfield, where her principal was Wayne Pillen. She remains close friends with his daughter, Michelle Wentworth, to this day.

She started college at Black Hawk East, earning an associate’s degree in arts, before transferring to Illinois State University to study elementary education.

“My teaching career began as substitute teaching for just about everything—from high school boys’ PE at KHS to industrial arts at Central,” she said. She even covered Central Junior High’s band class the week before graduation.

Her first full-time role was at Bradford Schools, teaching split fourth grade and a fifth grade reading class.

“I taught there for two years, including third grade,” she said. “I wasn’t tenured yet, so when the school reduced staff, I was let go. The next school year, I went back to substitute teaching, spending many days at Visitation School.”

When a first-grade split class opened at Visitation, Fite applied and secured the position.

“I taught one year in first grade, then moved to second grade the next year,” she said.

The following year, her principal asked if she’d consider kindergarten.

“I told her to give me a few days to think about it,” Fite recalled.

She accepted—and spent the next 20 years teaching kindergarten. Then, a new principal arrived and reorganized grade assignments, offering her a fifth-grade position. Fite requested a third-grade role instead.

“I spent two years teaching third grade and vowed to ask for kindergarten when we got a new principal,” she said.

When she had the opportunity, she returned to kindergarten and never looked back.

Teaching has been deeply fulfilling for Fite. She said the most rewarding moments came from seeing the sparkle in students’ eyes when they grasped new concepts, sharing her faith with them, and witnessing their success as adults.

“The things that I will remember most about teaching are the many wonderful opportunities I was given to help my students grow to love learning,” she said, “the wonderful colleagues I have taught with and how important a career that teaching is.”

She also fondly recalls taking her class on a field trip during the Stearman Fly-In at the Kewanee airport—where she experienced her first flight in a biplane.

Over the years, Fite has taught countless students—including the children of her former kindergarteners. She still keeps in touch with many students and parents.

“Just to check in on what they’ve done in their own lives and careers,” she said.

Deciding to retire wasn’t easy, but advice from fellow teachers helped.

“They told me, ‘You’ll know when it’s time to retire,’” she said. “I think I’ve reached that point. Though next year, I plan to substitute teach so I can stay connected to education.”

As for retirement, she has a few plans.

“Along with substitute teaching, I plan to take more day trips, catch up on reading, volunteer more, go for more walks, and stay in touch with friends and family,” she said.

Earlier this month, she was honored with a retirement party in Visitation’s gymnasium, where she was grateful for the outpouring of support.

“Thank you to all my school family, former students, church family and community members for attending my open house. It meant the world to me,” said Fite.