Surprise guest speaker at Ridge Park highlights lasting impact of Colonial teachers

American Education Week brought a heartwarming surprise to Tiffany Martin’s third grade class at Ridge Park Elementary School. While guest readers are common during the event, one visitor was especially meaningful for student teacher Haley Bianchi.

Miss Bianchi, who is studying elementary education at Gwynedd Mercy University and set to graduate in December, was stunned when her childhood inspiration, Colleen Clark, walked into the classroom. Mrs. Clark had been Miss Bianchi’s third-grade teacher at Ridge Park and was the person who first inspired her to become a teacher.

“I had to stop the lesson midway through to give her a hug,” said Miss Bianchi.

For her guest reader spot, Mrs. Clark chose the book ’Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey. During the story, she found opportunities to teach mini-lessons, like guiding the students through understanding the word "clatter" by looking at context clues.

“It was so exciting to see her teaching my students that I’m student-teaching,” said Miss Bianchi. “It was an amazing day.”

The visit was equally meaningful for Mrs. Clark. “It meant a lot to know that, all of these years later, I had an impact on her life that she chose this as a career,” she said. “For her to still remember me, it really meant so much to me.”

Miss Bianchi has gained valuable experience at Ridge Park, learning from her current mentor, Mrs. Martin, while carrying with her the inspiration she first found there as Mrs. Clark's student. As Miss Bianchi prepares to step into her own classroom, this reunion was a powerful reminder of the lasting relationships and influence educators can have on their students’ lives.