I am entering my fourth year of teaching in the same district I attended from kindergarten through 12th grade. Some of my favorite memories of Prairie Grove Schools include class parties in elementary school, school dances in middle school, and spirit weeks in high school.

The incredible sense of community I experienced growing up, and the lifelong friendships that were formed during those years, led me to return to those very schools that shaped me. I met my very best friends in elementary and middle school, and we are still close today, even standing in one another's weddings. I even had the opportunity to teach alongside my best friend since seventh grade for two years. There is something so special about the closeness of our district—everyone knows one another. I love the small-town atmosphere, and wanted to be part of it again.

Although the small-town feel was one of the things that drew me back, it has changed considerably since I was a student. The town and school district have grown substantially in size and population over the years. Even so, the familiar sense of connection has remained the same. The community continues to care for and support one another, just as it always has.

Being a former student in my district shapes the way I connect with my students because I hope to be the encouragement, light, and support they need to succeed—the same things my favorite teachers were for me. I still keep in touch with some of my former teachers because they made such a lasting impact on my life. One day, I hope my students will look back on their time in my classroom and fondly remember something they learned, something they accomplished, or something I said that made a difference.

The thing I love most about teaching first grade is watching my students learn and grow from August to May. First grade is such an important year because students absorb so much information that is essential to their growth and development. Many of the concepts and skills they learn are challenging at first, but walking alongside them until that light bulb finally comes on is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. They make me incredibly proud every single day.

Now, I have the privilege of being part of my school's story in an entirely different way than when I was a student, and that is incredibly meaningful to me. I never take for granted the opportunity to cultivate a love of learning and a belief in oneself, just as so many remarkable educators did for me. It is my goal to approach this work with all my heart, every single day.