A teacher who spent 35 years in the same school made every student in her class a personalized quilt before she retired.
Most of us had that one favorite teacher who walked with us, believed in us, and guided us like a closest friend. Saying goodbye to them was never easy. And years later we still think about them.
For these young students their teacher did not just wave goodbye at the door. She made sure every single child knew how much they meant to her before she left.
She Put Her Heart Into Every Stitch
Kim Rohlf taught second grade at Westwood Elementary School in Ankeny for 35 years. Before her last day she spent weekends making a handmade quilt for every student in her class.
Each quilt was different. Some were themed around holidays or birthdays and others were based on things each child loved like dinosaurs or sports. She also wrote a personal note to every student by hand.
“I love teaching and I love quilting so it gives me a little to share my love with them as they leave and I end my chapter of teaching” she said.
The Kids Knew It Was Special
Second grader Gabrielle put it simply.
“Every quilt is made based on our personalities. She would add special details about us and she would make sure that it is very nice.”
Leaving Was Harder Than She Thought
Kim expected the last day to be straightforward. It was not.
“It’s very heartwarming it makes this harder than I thought it was going to be but I’m excited to start that new chapter in my life. I thought it could just be at the end of the year and walk out the door. They’re making it a little bit harder than that.”
WATCH: Retiring Teacher Surprises Her Students with Personalized Gifts
