In the small, family-centered community of Graysville, Ohio, second- and third-graders at Skyvue Elementary School are learning what it means to follow in the footsteps of someone you admire.

Parent support is strong at the school, where "like mother, like daughter" is an adage often heard by Debbie Long Day, BSED '94 and MED '01, and her daughter, Betsy Day Phillips, BSED '01. Not only does the duo teach at the same school, but both women studied education at Ohio University-Eastern and earned degrees (Debbie her master's and Betsy her bachelor's) at 2001 commencement exercises.

It was a time of relief for husband and father Ned Day, BBA '74 and MBA '76.

"With us in school, he pretty much kept the place running," Debbie says.

Debbie initially put a career on hold to raise her two daughters, Betsy and Erica, but her work with the Girl Scouts later fueled her decision to return to school and become a teacher.

"I like to work with children and, after having two daughters, it seemed like the right choice," Debbie says.

Like Debbie, Betsy chose education because she wanted to work with children. Living at home allowed her to receive additional support from her mother. Because they were at different stages in their studies, the Days didn't do homework together, but Betsy says her mother helped with lesson plans and determining what classes to take.

That's why when Betsy began looking for a teaching position after graduation, she didn't flinch at the idea of working with second-graders down the hall from her mother's third-grade classroom.

The Days' parallel career paths haven't changed their close-knit relationship, and the women often share ideas and plan classroom activities. They like teaching at Skyvue because of the school's rural location and good parent support system.

"It's the center for all the little communities so people put a lot of effort into the school," Betsy says.

Any confusion caused by having two Days at Skyvue ended when Betsy married Kevin Phillips in December 2002 and changed her last name to Phillips. Then again, Skyvue could wind up with two Phillips. Kevin, who already holds a degree in environmental studies, is enrolled at Ohio University-Eastern with the hope of becoming - what else? - a teacher.

Sara Schonhardt, BSJ '03, is a former student writer for University Communications and Marketing.