Continued from page 9 daughter. “She has wanted to do it ever since she was a little girl and she never has veered off that path ... I’m just excited to work with her. We’ve always been best friends.” Childers is confident her classroom is the perfect place for Cohen. “We know Dalton wants to be here. We know she’s qualified. We know she should be here — this is a no-brainer,” Childers says. And while Childers did not have the final say on Cohen’s employment, she did get a say. “Kindergarten teachers help with the interview process,” Childers says. “(During the year) we have the opportunity to collaborate as a team. So it’s important that we feel we have someone we can work with.” The last few years, Cohen has substitute taught in the school district, helping her feel even more at ease. “It’s one of those jobs that, when you have a bad day — you can’t have a bad day anymore because they walk in smiling,” Cohen says about the kids, who grin from ear to ear, often with missing front teeth. “I know all the kids in this building. This is home.” Passing the torch Cohen and Childers agree that the staff at Espy is a family, which also makes it such a great school. “Turnover is not good for a school,” Childers says. “A lot of the teachers here have taught for a long time and we’re like a family.” Stewart, who will be starting her 20th year at the school, agrees, saying the school will certainly miss Childers. “We’re going to miss her so much. She has somewhat raised Dalton and mentored her along the way. She’s been such a good role model and friend. So, in a way, we’ll feel like she’s still here with Dalton taking over for her,” Stewart says about Childers. “Espy is just such a family environment — so warm and inviting. The teachers, parents, students — it’s kind of unexplainable, really. We all make an effort to have relationships with each other.” Childers and Cohen don’t know why they’ve had such a connection through the years, but there is no denying that one is there. “I’ve had lots of teachers’ kids ... but there was something about Dalton. She knew I’d always be there for her,” Childers says. “It’s been fun for me to see Dalton grow up and mature and turn into a wonderful mother, wife and just a beautiful young lady.” “Thank you,” Cohen says quietly. It’s been fun for me to see Dalton grow up and mature and turn into a wonderful mother, wife and just a beautiful young lady.” Mea Childers RETIRED KINDERGARTEN TEACHER Mea Childers says she loved teaching kindergarten because the students always think your singing, artwork and handwriting are good — no matter what. 10 THE NEST NIXA PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAGAZINE Summer 2017
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