Elementary Teachers Inspire Seniors

Though Northwest High School seniors are nearly finished with school, many of their Waukee School District elementary teachers still remember their time in grade school.

Waukee School District elementary schools are hosting Seniors Come Home parties for the class of 2022 to visit their elementary teachers and friends. Elementary schools are hosting the events at various times listed in a ParentSquare announcement for seniors. MeGan Kempnich is planning this event at Walnut Hills elementary. She taught first grade at Shuler with the 2022 class and has happy memories of the now-graduating students. “My class was very creative, thoughtful and kind… It’s rewarding to watch the kiddos grow over the years and see how they have matured,” Kempnich described.

Circumstances, life events, opportunities you take are only fractions of what forms your future path. The rest is up to you.

Amber O’Neill

Kari Mayo taught the 2022 class as a second-grade teacher at Walnut Hills. She has high hopes for the first graduating class of Northwest. “They were such a fun, energetic group of kids… keep being you and keep smiling,” she advised.

Mayo enjoys seeing past students and hearing about their plans. She added, “Sometimes you don’t even recognize them when you see them, because they’ve changed a lot since second grade.” 

Amber O’Neill, a second-grade teacher at Shuler, advised the 2022 class on their future. “Circumstances, life events, opportunities you take are only fractions of what forms your future path. The rest is up to you,” she stated.

Brea Burrack, Walnut Hills ELP teacher for the 2022 class, noted how surreal it is to see her past students grow up. “It’s like this transformation… Now they’re these little adults ready to spread their wings,” Burrack described. 

Burrack knows that for the class of 2022, life after high school will be very different. “Outside of your elementary and secondary education, it’s truly like the walls are down… [you’re] free to figure out life and yourself,” she explained.

Kelly White taught the 2022 class as a Maple Grove kindergarten teacher. She remembers the fun the class had together, like crafts and seasonal activities. “I feel like just yesterday they were coming in with their little backpacks for the first day of school… It makes me proud to see what good people they have become,” White described. As seniors move into the rest of their lives, White reminds them that not everything needs to change. She stated, “If something makes you happy, do a little dance to celebrate… If you feel sad, just cry.  Laugh so hard when your friend does something silly.  Like, so hard that milk comes out your nose. Be a kindergarten kid at heart always.”

These are the times of the senior nights:

Maple Grove Elementary’s senior night: April 27th, 3:15-4:15

Walnut Hills Elementary’s senior night: April 27th, 4:00-5:00

Waukee Elementary’s senior night: April 27th, 4:00-4:30

Shuler Elementary’s senior night: May 4th, 4:00-5:00