Where she wants to be

Jan McGalliard is right where she wants to be.
“I feel like I’ve won the lottery,” the new principal at Redkey Elementary School said last month.
After a career in education, she’s finally at the helm and she’s loving every minute of it.
“This is my first time in elementary,” said McGalliard, who taught special education students at the middle school and high school level for years. “The kids are just so fun.”
While the elementary level may be new, McGalliard is no stranger to Jay Schools. She grew up in Dunkirk. The daughter of Bill and Frances Donathan, she attended Westlawn Elementary School and West Jay Junior High School, graduating from Jay County High School in 1987.
She returned to Jay County in the early 1990s after earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida.
“I didn’t want to leave Jay County,” she said. “I love it here. I’m invested here.”
She continued to build her professional credentials as she taught, earning a master’s degree from Ball State University and working toward a doctorate in education. She’s licensed in special education and as a principal and is on her way to earning her superintendent’s license.
At Redkey, she feels right at home.
“This school has a nurturing spirit,” said McGalliard. “It’s an awesome school.”
The principal’s job sometimes seems built around interruptions.
“A successful day for me is just being kind,” she said. “Not being afraid to speak up and not being afraid to say you’re sorry.”

Looking back, she credits key teachers who guided her along the way Larry Wilson, her sixth grade teacher at Westlawn “made learning fun.” Forrest Luker at West Jay “made you think.” And social studies teacher Steve Ford at JCHS played a role.
Then there is Bob Anderson.
Now 88 and retired, Anderson was principal at Redkey and later dean of students at JCHS but continues to mentor McGalliard in her new job.
“He still comes in here every week," she said.
But all of those teachers take a back seat to her father.
A faded photograph of Bill Donathan in about sixth grade is pinned to the bulletin board behind McGalliard’s desk, not far from a sign that says, “Start each new day with a grateful heart.”
Her dad, she said, had a rough road growing up and knew that education can be life-changing.
“He’s the one that told me to get my education because that’s something they can never take away from you,” she said.