The Russell family has been a staple in local education for years. In today’s ever changing world, it is very rare for someone to stay with the same employer, but that is exactly what Joni Russell McKinney was able to do. Joni worked 35 years with the same employer. She went to work for Andrews ISD in 1985 as a middle school math teacher and tennis coach. And at that time, Charles Russell, her dad, was a math teacher at Andrews High School, and family members were not allowed to work on the same campus. Joni said eight years later her dad retired, and she was able to move to the high school and teach math there for eight years. She later became a high school counselor, and then for the last nine years, Joni has been the counselor at the Andrews Education Center. The retiree’s mom, Barbara Russell, retired after teaching here in Andrews schools for 38 years. Joni’s dad, meanwhile, worked in the Andrews schools 40 years. During the years with Andrews ISD, Joni says she had a wonderful opportunity to work with some of the best teachers, administrators and students in the nation. Mrs. McKinney said lots of changes have taken place during the last 35 years. She says she still believes Andrews is one of the best places to live and teach school.
