Kindergarten teacher Emily Foster has taught hundreds of students in her 42-year career.
On Wednesday, 20 of those familiar faces walked through her door at Sabin Elementary School in Northeast Portland. Clad in caps and gowns, her 2010-11 kindergarteners are now graduating from high school. And before they go off into their post-graduate world, the students wanted to thank one of their first and most formative teachers.
“How’d you do this?” Foster asked in surprise, as former students poured into her classroom, the same space she taught them 13 years ago.
Inspired by his cousins, who did a similar surprise, Eli McConnachie, with the help of his mom, Judy, organized the reunion through texts and social media.
“She was the first teacher I had and started us all off,” McConnachie said. Some of the students kept in touch throughout the years, while others went on to different middle and high schools.
Foster had not seen most of the students since they left the school, but was able to still name many of them or recall how many siblings they have. Foster could even remember student dynamics from the class.
Foster said teaching and learning about her students is her highest priority.
“There’s a lot of memories that are kind of flooding in,” Foster said, still in shock. “I got the surprise of my life.”
Vickie Connor is a videographer for The Oregonian|OregonLive. She is also co-host of Peak Northwest podcast. She can be reached at vconnor@theoregonian.com.
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