Making a difference in one’s community – one’s world – can take on many forms. And the results of those good deeds touch many people in the here-and-now, while forming a lasting legacy that touches future generations.

That is why The Mexico Ledger honors Hidden Heroes.

Joan Fecht is a retired Mexico teacher who taught for a little over 30 years. Her career began in Laddonia at Community R-6 when the elementary school had its own building where the Dollar General now stands.

“I taught second grade, and I am now seeing who they are in their 60s,” said Fecht, who thinks she could not have asked for better students.

Fecht taught there for four years before coming to teach at Eugene Field Elementary, where her oldest granddaughter Haley now teaches third grade.

Teaching was such a huge part of Fecht’s life that even in retirement, she hasn’t stopped. Fecht has worked at the Mexico-Audrain County Library for 22 years as a children’s aide and is in charge of the Lapsit program for children birth to 2-years-old.

“She loves those kids, she jumps up and off the floor with them, dances around, and she has a bubbly personality,” says Aletha Taylor, children’s coordinator at the Mexico-Audrain Library.

According to Fecht, in order for the program to work, parents, grandparents or whoever accompanies the child to class really have to be involved and participate as well.

“We do a lot of wiggling and a lot of movement at the beginning and I have a couple of stories that I read,” said Fecht, who also teaches the children about sharing, colors and counting.

Fecht is always cheerful, willing to help out and always going the extra mile to make someone smile.

“Every year at Christmastime, she takes pictures of the children and their parents, and she makes ornaments for the parents to have,” said Christal Bruner, director of the library district.

Bruner keeps every unique, hand-sewn ornament Fecht has ever gifted her in her office all year round.

“The first year I did it, I took pictures and by the time I had pulled them out of the camera, these little dickenses had grown!” said Fecht.

Fecht is also a member of Audrain County Area Public Schools Retirees and Missouri Retired Teachers Association and volunteers as a lunch buddy at Eugene Field.

“School comes automatically,” said Fecht. She joins her lunch buddy at school about once a month to talk. “There are kids who need a little more support, and that’s why I’m here.”

As if that wasn’t enough, at 82-years-old, you can find Fecht walking in her neighborhood, five miles, every day. While she walks, she collects litter from the side of the road.

“For years, I have watched Joan walk and pick up trash in the neighborhood I grew up in and raised my son in,” said Erin Paden.

Paden grew up on the corner of Curtis and Kentucky Street. She nominated Fecht for Hidden Hero as a complete stranger, having never met her in person.

Tyronn Lue was one of Fecht’s students, and when he returned to Mexico, she was inspired to join the clean-up effort.

“I thought, ‘I can do this in my neighborhood,’” said Fecht, who started with Ringo Street before expanding her radius to include the whole neighborhood.

“I am hoping somebody is watching and will do the same,” she adds.

Fecht said the reason she keeps on today is so she can see her second great-grandchild in her Lapsit class, and staying active will allow her to do just that.

“I wouldn't change anything in my life,” said Fecht. “I only wish my husband had stayed living longer than he did.”

Fecht understands the importance about caring for your community inside and out. “When I was teaching, I always said, ‘Leave a place better than you found it.’”

Do you know someone who volunteers their time to be a hero to others? Submit your nomination to: https://mexicoledger.com/hiddenhero/