As the school year comes to an end, the Edina High School class of 2026 are ending their chapter as Edina students. Although they have put in a tremendous amount of work for their future ambitions, this would not have been possible without the role models who helped them start their academic careers.

The Edina elementary school teachers are some of the first faces students look up to when they begin their time in school. They have supported, mentored, encouraged, and propelled the senior class into the next parts of their lives.

“I think being a teacher is just so rewarding [because you are able] to watch children grow,” third grade Countryside Elementary School teacher Jennifer Gross said. “The fact that they are moving onto one of the most important parts of their lives, no matter what their path is after high school, I just feel like that’s the time in their life where they are going to become who they are as people.”

Even after students have long left elementary school, their teachers will still check in to see where their former students are headed.

“I love following [the Instagram decisions] page and seeing what my former students are going to do next with their lives,” fifth grade Normandale Elementary School teacher Sarah Kiel said. “It’s been seven years since they were my fifth grade class, but they’re going on to do some truly amazing things all over the country and internationally.”

Heather Edam, a fifth grade teacher at Cornelia Elementary School, not only checks back to see the future plans of her former students, but she is also a part of their final step: high school graduation.

“The past few times I have [volunteered at graduation,] I am usually one of the line leaders,” Edam said. “Three years ago, one of my past students was sitting right next to me, and he was the guy who gave the speech at graduation, and it was so fun to be on the floor listening to him speak… I just get teared up watching them graduate.”

Even after so many years, teachers will still cross paths with former students they even knew from activities outside the classroom, which they still participate in today.

“Seeing students find their passions, it’s so cool seeing them grow into caring, responsible, young adults,” AmeriCorps math tutor and former fifth grade teacher David Sponheim said. “I would say to [them,] never lose touch with the relationships that you formed in middle school, high school, and college, and realize that’s what gets you through the hard times, the good friends you have to rely on.”

As the final weeks pass by, elementary school teachers are trying to make one last connection with their past students. Whether it’s graduation party invitations, reunions back in elementary school classrooms, or even just a short phone call, these seniors’ past teachers are always open to one last concluding goodbye.

“I am so blessed to have amazing kids from my past, and I’m so happy to say that I am still connected to them, and I’ve seen many of them over the past couple weeks, coming back to carnivals and helping me with kindergarten information nights,” Administrative Dean at Creek Valley Elementary and former fourth grade teacher Jamie Hawkinson said.

“It’s a stellar class, and I’m so proud to say and honored that I was their teacher for just a short period of their journey. They are a pretty remarkable young [group,] and it’s amazing to be a part of their lives,” Hawkinson said. “So I’m hopeful that they will continue to know that I’m here for them forever whenever they need something.”

Finally, as the students get closer and closer every day to their high school graduation, Concord Elementary kindergarten teacher Michele Rock left one final message to the class of 2026 graduates.

“To the graduating seniors, this moment marks an ending and a beginning. You’ve grown, learned, and overcome more than you can even realize… the path ahead won’t always be easy or clear, but it will be yours. Congratulations, seniors, and as you step into this next chapter, know the best is yet to come. Go make your mark on the world.”

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on May 19, 2026