Full Circle

Last week I was invited to visit Tyronza Elementary...the school where my first classroom sits. Back in 2004 I was a newly graduated teacher and I eagerly accepted the position of preschool teacher when offered at Tyronza. Even though it was a 45 minute drive from home. Even though it was a brand new classroom. Even though I knew absolutely nothing about the community. Even though my classroom was completely empty. Even though I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I could not wait to establish a classroom of my own.

So a week later...20 adorable sweet faces entered my classroom. We sat on a hodgepodge of chairs and stools I found under the bleachers and in storage rooms. Slowly...throughout the year our classroom began to become a home.  I vividly remember how proud I felt to have students of my own and how much I loved watching them learn.

I had most of those kiddos for two year...when they were 3 and when they were 4. Hanging out with the same group of kiddos for two years will sure solidify their place in your heart. And when I was offered a job close to home...at the school I completed my student teaching...I was absolutely overwhelmed with guilt for leaving them. I saw them go on to kindergarten and never saw them again. I always felt a great loss of not getting to see those sweet kiddos grow up and go through school. I have kept up with a few of them through social media but for the most part..I've just wondered how they turned out.

That is until last week.

As I was saying, I was invited to come back and visit Tyronza Elementary. I was escorted around the school by a group of eager sixth graders and their lovely principal Mrs. Carroll. I was blown away how this outdated building had been transformed into a welcoming, inviting, exciting school. The Greatest Showman was the theme for the year and creative door covering and decorations hung from the ceiling. The students were so enthusiastic to share about their school and chauffeured me through room by room. They were proud. I watched as the students and principal engaged in conversation that proved mutual respect was alive and well in the building. I was shown the garden and the future placement of a sensory garden that I cannot wait to come back and see. The students showed me how they are taking Spanish in the computer lab for high school credit. They shared how they are allowed to make their own salads at lunch and even made sure I noticed their sauce bar. I saw the tables and chairs I hand-selected and purchased for my classroom 14 years before. They showed me the playground and my old classroom where I was flooded with memories. I saw the tricycle track that I worked so hard to get and was completed right before I left. I never got to see any kiddos ride on it.

As our tour was coming to an end I mentioned that my former kiddos are now seniors in high school. Mrs. Carroll insisted we hop in her car and drive over to the high school to see if we could find any of them. I was beside myself with anticipation as well as a bit terrified they would no longer remember me. So we walk into the high school's front office and the secretary calls my students to come to the office.

And one by one...they walked in.

I knew their faces immediately. And for the most part they knew me. I became so overcome with emotion at the sight of their growth and hearing their plans after graduation that I stood in front of them sobbing. I had never gotten to see any of my students grow up...and here were my kiddos...all grown up. And they are amazing. They are going to college...to the military...to welding school...to medical school...to cosmetology school. And I had a small part of getting them there.

I promised them I would be back to watch them graduate...my first student graduation...my first class. As I drove away I could not stop the tears as I realized that I had just achieved my goal as a teacher...to finally see a glimpse of my impact...fifteen years later...to finally come full circle.