Melinda Spradling has taught eighth-grade science at Bush Middle School since 1999. The school opened the year before she got there. So, it’s safe to say Melinda Spradling is Bush Middle School.
Hannah Bailey was one of Spradling’s eighth-grade students.
She graduated from Reagan High School and she’s about to graduate from Texas A&M.
“Eighth Grade Science was my favorite class ever. I learned so much, especially because she was my teacher. So I remember deciding, ‘I am going to go to school, and I am going to major in that and do that.’”
And she did.
She’s spent the last semester student-teaching with her former teacher in her former classroom.
“She’s ready,” said Spradling. “I think it was divine intervention that Hannah showed up. She’s been here since day one of the school year. So, we’ve treated the first semester as co-teachers.”
“Divine intervention” because after nearly 30 years in education, Spradling is retiring. And when you spend a bulk of that building something incredible at one school, it can be hard to hand over the keys to your classroom. But Spradling has been preparing Bailey for this moment.
“There is a guilt that comes with leaving in the middle of the school year, “said Spradling. “But she was my student, and Hannah has been here since day one of this school year. I feel at peace to hand her my classroom. Plus, she knows Bush, and these students know her. This will be a smooth transition for all of us.”
“It’s surreal,” said Bailey. “This feels like home. She has big boots to fill, but I feel very blessed to be back here and to have learned so much from her.”
Passing the torch #theNEISDway
