Hotmire retiring from 1st UM Preschool

Van Wert independent/submitted information

Juanita Hotmire has announced her retirement after nearly three decades as a teacher and administrator at First United Methodist Preschool.

Mrs. Hotmire began working for the preschool as administrator and teacher in June 1982. Since then, more than 1,000 Van Wert-area children have been educated at the preschool.

“We honor Juanita for the many years she has faithfully served the preschool,” said Jerry Hoffman, First United Methodist Church Administrative Board chairman. “Her love for the children and families of our community has always been evident. On a personal note, as a friend of the Hotmires for four decades, I look forward to Juanita’s continued involvement in the lives of our community’s children.”

“I am grateful to the dedicated teachers, aides, board members and all those who have supported the mission of the preschool – to introduce children to a loving Savior and prepare them for a life of learning and service,” Mrs. Hotmire said. “I am thankful to my family who has supported me through all these years. With warm memories of the many wonderful children and families who have been served by the preschool, I look forward to this next phase of life – including spending more time with my grandchildren.”

Under Mrs. Hotmire’s leadership the preschool celebrated Christmas pageants, annual graduation ceremonies, grandparents days, mother’s teas, doughnuts with dad, held reading parties, created a preschool library, had visits from the Fort Wayne Zoomobile, took fall field trips, placed a float in the annual Peony Festival Parade for many years, raised funds for World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse, hosted countless visits with local law enforcement officers and visited the fire department every year. At one point, the preschool grew to an enrollment of 140 students.

“A child’s first classroom experience is so important to their educational foundation, and Juanita has provided that firm foundation for so many children in our community over the past 29 years,” said former long-time First UMC Preschool board member and preschool parent Eric McCracken. “We owe her a debt of gratitude for helping strengthen our community in a way that is so often unsung, yet so vital.”

“Working with Juanita for so many years, we found a common bond in our passion to educate young children,” said former preschool teacher Theresa Tate. “In the process, we became close friends and had a lot of fun.”

“Some of my favorite early childhood memories are of Mrs. Hotmire at preschool teaching me and my classmates about the ABCs and 123s,” said former preschool student — and Van Wert High School and Ohio State University football standout — Joel Penton. “But what was ever-present was her love for us and the clear sense that she wanted us to meet Jesus Christ and know who He is and understand that He loves us.”

The Hotmire family has been associated with First Methodist Preschool from its inception — Juanita Hotmire’s husband, Phillip, was an original board member of the preschool when it was founded in 1974.

“When Arlene Hurless and Susan Mathew organized our preschool board to launch the preschool, I had no idea that the Lord would make this preschool my wife’s Christian career,” Phillip Hotmire said. “Her heart has always been to serve in missions, and for her the preschool was a ministry to serve the children and families of Van Wert County.”

Mrs. Hotmire attended Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

Her family will host a retirement reception for on Sunday, August 7, from 2-5 p.m. at Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert. Former students, parents, staff and friends are invited to attend.