Regína concludes a celebrated teaching career

Ritstjórn
Regína with her grandsons.

Sólborg Preschool hosted a farewell ceremony to honor celebrated preschool teacher Regína Rögnvaldsdóttir, who retired after decades of dedicated service. Taking Regína completely by surprise, the warm, festive event brought colleagues, children, and parents together to thank her for her invaluable contributions.

Regína tears up as Ingibjörg Vilbergsdóttir presents her with a farewell gift.
Kveðjuathöfnin kom Regínu algjörlega að óvörum. Hér er hún búin að taka við listaverki gerðu af börnunum á Sólborg en það sem fýkur frá fífunni eru fingraför barnanna. Fífan er til marks um öll fræin sem Regína hefur sáð til samfélagsins.

Regína brought knowledge and experience to Sólborg

Since the preschool's founding in 1994, Regína has worked at Sólborg, serving as one of its cornerstones ever since. She brought valuable experience from Rauða húsið (the Red House), a preschool that had previously operated in connection with the Döff School at Hlíðaskóli, formerly known as Heyrnleysingjaskólinn. When Sólborg opened, the decision to transfer the Red House's operations to the new preschool brought Regína's knowledge, experience, and vision along with it.

That transition marked the beginning of Sólborg's distinctive role in serving deaf children. Regína led the way, effectively laying the foundation for what the school is known for today. Colleagues describe her as a pioneer, though she remains remarkably humble, always downplaying her own contributions.

Regína receives flowers from Program Director Gyða Guðmundsdóttir and Director Steinn Jóhannsson.
Gyða Guðmundsdóttir fagstjóri leikskóla í Vesturmiðstöð og Steinn Jóhannsson sviðsstjóri afhentu Regínu blóm.

A tireless advocate for deaf children

Throughout her career, Regína's influence has extended far beyond the walls of Sólborg. She has championed deaf children in preschools in Iceland, working tirelessly to build awareness and deepen understanding of their needs. She has also lectured widely on acoustics in preschools, influencing practices at institutions across the country. In this way, she has planted seeds that have taken root and flourished in early childhood education in Iceland.

The knowledge she shared is both far-reaching and practical, and colleagues describe her expertise and insight as exceptional. "Knowledge just pours out of her," says preschool director Margrét Gígja Þórðardóttir, adding that working alongside her has been a rare privilege.

Regína with her family.
Fjölskylda Regínu mætti til að vera viðstödd.

A profound loss for early childhood education

In recognition of her work, the Association of Special Education Teachers named Regína an honorary member, a distinction reflecting the profound respect she has earned within the profession. Many consider her among the finest preschool teachers in Iceland.

Sólborg will therefore deeply feel her departure from daily work. "We are going to miss her enormously," says Margrét Gígja, noting that Regína will not step away from the work entirely. She will remain connected to the preschool on a part-time basis, continuing to share her experience and expertise.

This morning's farewell was a heartfelt occasion, looking back fondly on an exceptional career and the many lives Regína has touched. Through her work, she has not only helped shape Sólborg but also advanced early childhood education in Iceland, making it stronger and more diverse.

A photo taken across the hall at Sólborg.
Ingibjörg dóttir Regínu er söngkona og fluttu hún og tónlistarvinir hennar falleg lög í tilefni dagsins. Á myndinni er svo klappað á táknmáli.