In honor of the back-to-school season, we interviewed a few of our former teachers who are residents at our Sagora Senior Living communities. They shared a bit of their life story along with advice for today’s students. We’re so excited to introduce them to you!
For today’s feature, meet Shirley, one of our residents at Lyndale Abilene Memory Care in Abilene, Texas. Shirley taught 4th – 6th grade math and science at Tye Elementary School and St. John’s Elementary. When asked what she enjoyed most about teaching, she said, “The love of the students – to me and from the children!” Shirley’s advice to students heading back to school this fall is, “Don’t count it as a job that you have to go back, count it as a privilege that you get to experience all that you do while in school!”
Shirley’s story is also unique in that she touched many lives of her students including our Memory Care Program Director at the community, Rachael Valfre! “I have lots of memories from Shirley’s class, she most definitely made a mark on her students!” said Rachael. “One of the first things she said to me when she first moved into Lyndale Abilene Memory Care was, ‘isn’t it funny that I helped mold your brain as a child and now you are helping mold my brain as an old woman?’ Oh, my heart, such a blessing!”
Rachael and Shirley have truly become lifelong friends as Shirley has seen Rachael grow up and has even attended all of her and her former classmates’ major life events including graduations, weddings, baby showers – you name it!
We are so blessed by this precious friendship within Lyndale Abilene Memory Care and are honored to share Shirley’s story with you. Stay tuned as we have more former teacher stories to come!
