Educators across Northeast Connecticut are now receiving the COVID-19 vaccine thanks to a partnership between Day Kimball Healthcare and the Northeast District Department of Health. Among those vaccinated was Genevieve “Ginger” Kellaway, Learning Specialist at Rectory School in Pomfret, Connecticut. 

Ginger received her second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Day Kimball Healthcare Center in Plainfield on Monday, March 22. She expressed her relief and pride in setting an example just like a good teacher would. 

Ginger was pleased with the vaccination process at Day Kimball. “The vaccine clinic was organized and meticulous. The staff were friendly and upbeat. It couldn’t have been a more positive experience,” Ginger stated. 

Ginger has been a teacher at Rectory School for 15 years. While Rectory has offered in-person learning all year, some Learning Specialists, like Mrs. Kellaway, have been working remotely with their students. When she heard she was eligible for the vaccine, she didn’t hesitate to receive it. 

“Rectory School has done a wonderful job throughout these pandemic months. We continued to provide high quality education for our students, whether they were learning on the campus or online. Rectory successfully established full time in-person learning this entire academic year by going above and beyond all public health safety protocols. While the online option Rectory offered was a great alternative for some of our students during the pandemic, Rectory is planning to be fully in-person for the fall 2021 term. I am eager to go back to the regular school routine,” said Ginger. 

After being inoculated, Ginger felt great apart from a sore arm. “I experienced gratitude and genuine happiness to be participating in this historic moment,” she reflected. 

She hopes sharing her story will put some minds at ease if they are “on the fence” about being vaccinated. 

“Please get vaccinated. It helps not only you, but the people you love around you. I understand there might be hesitancy to receive the vaccine. If you have questions or concerns, reach out to your doctor. They can help you make an informed decision,” encouraged Ginger.

Now, with both doses of the vaccine to protect her, Ginger is preparing to head back to her classroom, excited to see her students in-person again.

PHOTO CAPTION: Genevieve “Ginger” Kellaway, Learning Specialist at Rectory School in Pomfret, Connecticut, shares her COVID-19 vaccination experience at Day Kimball Healthcare.