Teacher to teacher

After 26 years, Jennifer Young Beck and her former fifth-grade student, Kate Stockwell Strempel, enjoyed a reunion lunch. After Condit, Kate attended Trafton Academy, graduated from Bellaire High School then attended Curry College. Kate is now a kindergarten teacher at Travis Elementary. Jennifer currently teaches theology to fifth and sixth graders at Duchesne. 

Kate Strempel (formerly Kate Stockwell) reconnected with her former Condit Elementary School fifth-grade teacher, Jennifer Beck (back then, Mrs. Young). Now a kindergarten teacher at Travis Elementary, Kate found Jennifer on Facebook and messaged her. Jennifer, who now teaches at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, remembered Kate and was moved when Kate messaged a photo of a journal entry from her fifth-grade class. In the journal, she expressed that she wanted to become a great teacher one day. In 2019-20, Kate was named the Teacher of the Year at Travis Elementary. After she received the honor, she decided to reach out to some of her special teachers and thank them for believing in her. After their initial correspondence, Jennifer realized she might have some vintage treasures of her own. She has kept some special notes from students over the years, and, after looking through nearly 30 years of memories, she found a sweet letter from fifth-grade Kate, including a photo of her. Jennifer and Kate reunited in person for a lunch that turned into a three-hour visit. For more, see “Lessons Learned: Teacher Reconnects with Inspiring Former Teacher” by Karen Vine Fuller.

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