A Baldwin County special education teacher celebrated her big day with her students in tow.
Colleen Powell teaches special education at Lakeview Academy in Milledgeville and is close to three of her students, “Especially just having five or six kids, they become your own. Since I don’t have any kids of my own, I call these three my babies,” says Powell.
She had to have the kids with her on the aisle as she said she couldn’t make it down the aisle without them. “They’re just the biggest piece of my heart, and they mean as much to me as my bridesmaids did, and as much as my husband’s groomsmen.”
Jamoris and Korde carried the rings, and Dominic walked Powell down the aisle with her dad. Dominic’s mom, Ingried Banks, says, “It was just a blessing for her to have our kids in the wedding.”
Powell says, “They’re just my boys.” It was a surprise to the parents of the students when she said she wanted them to be a part of her wedding.
Korde’s mom, Shiquana Solomon, says, “When she first asked me, I really thought she was just playing.” Jamoris’ mom, Camellia Hurt, says, “My original thought was, ‘She is just saying that to be nice.'”
“It just shows how much love she has as a teacher. She has unconditional love for her students,” says Banks. “Just sitting here thinking about it makes me emotional, because for someone to love your child as much as you do, and it’s hard when you have a child that is nonverbal,” says Hurt.
“He did a whole 360 with Mrs. Calohan. I just thank God for her,” says Solomon. Hurt says, “She has a special place in my heart.”
Powell is always going to remember her walk down the aisle and so will the students as well. “They will always remember that, and I will, I know the other parents will always love them for that,” says Banks.
