Teacher Celebrates Former Students’ College Graduation

As Jessica Monroe sat in the stands at Desert Financial Arena on the Arizona State University campus this May, she was filled with joy. She was attending the Hispanic Convocation celebrating the graduating class of 2024. 

As the speaker read off the hundreds of names, there were three that Monroe was eager to hear: Nikzza Acuna graduating with a Bachelor's in Elementary Multilingual Education, Yoselin Flor graduating with a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, and Brittany Perez graduating with a Bachelor's in Family and Human Development.

What made these three young ladies so special to Monroe was not only that they were former English Language Learners and all first-generation college graduates, but they were also her former students. It was a celebration years in the making, and Monroe was thrilled to be part of it.

“I was overwhelmed with joy to be invited to the graduation,” Monroe said. “These three girls have worked so hard and come so far in their education.”

Monroe first met Acuna, Flor, and Perez when she was their language arts teacher at Shamley School during their seventh- and eighth-grade years. All three students attended Shamley from kindergarten through eighth grade and were what Monroe refers to as “Lifetime Leopards.”

Even after transitioning from Shamley to a Digital Innovation Coach position at the District, Monroe was able to stay in touch with many of her former students, including these three. Monroe’s ties to her students are also shared with other Shamley staff members including Aubrey Potter. Potter, a former social studies teacher who now works in the District’s Native American Program, also attended the graduation. Monroe attributes these long-lasting connections to the unique community Shamley provides to students and families. 

“I had the pleasure of teaching multiple siblings and families during my time teaching at Shamley,” Monroe said. “Building strong connections between middle school teachers and students is crucial as it provides a sense of belonging, support, and encouragement during a critical period of adolescent development. Shamley is a small close-knit community that I was so lucky to have as a teacher. Many students come back to visit campus frequently because of the relationships we built as a staff with our students.”

Those connections are a point of pride for Monroe. As she watched Acuna, Flor, and Perez walk across the stage, she couldn’t help but reflect on their journey from curious middle schoolers to determined young women, overcoming challenges and striving for success.

About Cecil Shamley School
Cecil Shamley School is a K-8 school in Tempe, AZ. At Shamley, our goal is to ensure all students receive an education that is centered around their specific needs while providing an opportunity for continued growth. Shamley School is an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) school. AVID helps teachers shift from delivering content to facilitating learning, resulting in an inquiry-based, student-centric classroom. Learn more about the Shamley Leopards.