Selma Peyton to retire from CCC

In 1987 she was working as a paraprofessional for the Tri-County Special Education Co-op.  She worked mostly in the elementary and high schools in Coffeyville.  Then, in August of the same year, she took a job in the Coffeyville Community College (CCC) Learning Lab.  Selma Peyton has managed the Red Raven Learning Lab and taught developmental classes at CCC for the past 21 years. 

“The students have been the motivation for me to stay here for 20 years,” said Peyton.  “I really enjoy meeting and working with them.”

Peyton has enjoyed the new situations and different students who utilized the Learning Laboratory at CCC as well as the variety of students she worked with including tradition, athletes, non-traditional international learners. 

“The biggest change over the length of my career is the enormous increase in numbers of students served through tutoring services and developmental education classes,” said Peyton.  “The Learning Lab was started in October 1986 and served 200 students initially.   Those numbers have steadily increased until they have been as high as 3,000 students in a school year.” 

One of Peyton’s most memorable students was the now New York Giants football player, Brandon Jacobs. 

“He came here without a high school diploma and no study skills.  He knew he must have help to succeed and he walked into the lab and asked for assistance,” she said.  “We really like working with him as he was quite willing to work hard and when he left here, he had sufficient study skills and a good GPA.  We are so proud of his success.”

Although Peyton is struggling with quiting completely she is looking forward to catching up on her work from home and doing things with her husband, Johnnie, and grandchildren.   

“We enjoy fishing, going to the lake and doing outdoor activities in general,” she said. 

Peyton has lived in or near Coffeyville her entire life.  Her daughter, Cindi lives in Coffeyville with her husband, Stan Davenport.  Peyton’s oldest granddaughter, Katie, lives in Mission, Kan. and is a nurse at KU Med Center.  Katie’s sister, Kristen, graduates from Field Kindley High School this year and is headed to KU in the fall.  Peyton’s son Kelly also lives in Coffeyville and has two children, Zane (6-years-old) and Miklaine (7-years-old). 

Peyton will officially retire following the June summer session of classes at CCC.