The day Rock Hill opened, business teacher Kaley Brejcha stood in a brand-new classroom facing a group of students who didn’t know what to expect. The walls were bare, the school store didn’t exist, and the DECA program was still just an idea. Over the next five years, she helped transform that space into a thriving business program and became a teacher some students say they will never forget.
Now, as she prepares to leave teaching to spend more time with her two young children, students and staff are reflecting on the mark she’s made—not just on the school, but on their lives.
“Mrs. Brejcha helped build something from the ground up,” said junior Saivedhav Nattamai, a student in Brejcha’s retail management class. “Before her class, I didn’t know anything about business. Now, I feel prepared and confident.”
Brejcha wasn’t just hired to teach—she was asked to build. She took on the challenge of establishing the school’s business department and launching its DECA chapter. Her work included designing curriculum, recruiting students, managing the school store, and coordinating competitions while navigating the demands of a brand-new campus.
One of her most obvious achievements is “The Nest,” Rock Hill’s student-run store. Under her supervision, the store became a place where students could learn real-world skills such as inventory management, marketing, and customer service while laughing and establishing connections.
“We worked really hard in the school store,” Brejcha said. “But we also had fun. We poked fun at each other, made jokes and really bonded. That class gave me the most laughs.”
DECA, the student business organization, also became a cornerstone of her work. For students like junior Yuktha Vangaveti, her coaching made all the difference.
“Mrs. Brejcha helped me go to state two years in a row and become a state finalist,” Vangaveti said. “Without her, I don’t think I could’ve done it. She always made sure everything got done and that the district supported us.”
While building programs and guiding competitions, Brejcha maintained a personal, approachable classroom. Students often mention her humor, storytelling, and ability to connect.
“She always told stories about her kids,” Nattamai said. “That’s one of the things that made her class feel different from others—it felt personal.”
That personal connection made it harder for her to announce her departure.
“It was a bittersweet moment,” Brejcha said. “They were happy for me, because they know how much I love my kids. But I think they were also disappointed. It means I won’t be here to run the business program or DECA next year.”
Although she’s stepping away, Brejcha hasn’t ruled out returning to the classroom someday.
“This isn’t goodbye forever,” she said. “Once my oldest starts grade school, I’d love to return to Prosper ISD if there’s a business position available. Rock Hill has a special place in my heart.”
But for now, she’s focused on being present with her family.
“These years with my kids are precious, and I don’t want to miss them,” Brejcha said. “Teaching will always be here, but they won’t be little forever.”
As Rock Hill looks ahead to the next school year, it does so without one of its founding faculty. But the systems Brejcha built, the culture she shaped, and the students she inspired won’t disappear with her.
“She’s made such a strong foundation,” Nattamai said. “Even though she won’t be here, what she built will continue.”
