MACON, Ga. — National Teachers Day is May 7, and it was the last one in the classroom for one Macon-Bibb County teacher.
Phyllis Stokes is a fifth-grade teacher at John H. Heard Elementary School.
Stokes has taught ELA and social studies for over 30 years, from Southwest High School to Alexander II Magnet School.
Now she's retiring, so 13WMAZ thought this was the perfect time to award her Top Teacher.
Stokes is so special that eight of her former students wanted to come along to surprise her in person!
They handed her flowers and even bragged about the impact she had made in their lives.
Ashley Buffington is the parent of one of her former students, and she wrote an email to the station to nominate Mrs. Stokes.
"There are several students that look up to her," Buffington said. "She has been very influential in our community and she deserves all the appreciation our town can give her."
Mrs. Stokes was speechless and said she couldn't have chosen a better career.
"That's why I'm in this, that's what it's all about," Stokes said. "I love these babies and they know I love them, even my babies now know I love them. I just make a connection with these kids and I try to make class fun but real and usually my kids come back years later to reminisce."
Kierstin Hawthorne is a fourth-grade teacher at Burdell-Hunt Elementary School.
Mrs. Stokes was her teacher in sixth grade, and Hawthorne says as a teacher now, she sees how Mrs. Stokes understood the importance of building relationships.
"As a teacher myself, that's one of the things I pride myself on: seeing the children as people first, connecting with them, and everything else will come full circle," Hawthorne said. "She influences pretty much everything I do with relationships in my classroom and staying to it and knowing that, even though you might have rough days, there's always a greater outcome. I mean, look at Mrs. Stokes!"
Stokes was Colin Tarver's teacher in sixth grade.
"She was really like my second mom, she was the mom away from home and she took care of me," Tarver said. "She taught me to stay strong and continue to push my way through school."
Stokes taught Stacy Thompson in fifth and sixth grade and says Stokes is an empathetic, engaging and passionate teacher.
"I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award than her," Thompson said. "She is literally top tier. She wasn't only a teacher, but she was a cheerleader, a motivator and an encourager. She wants the best for her students and she goes above and beyond to make us feel safe and accepted."
A former student by the name of Tavares Johnson couldn't be at the surprise, but still sent a message for Mrs. Stokes.
"Mrs. Stokes, you played an integral role in my future," Johnson said. "They say things come full circle but I truly underestimated the countless hours and dedication these teachers put into their craft until I became an IT instructor. I don't know any other teacher that still supports their 2004 6th grade annual class reunion, but that's just a fraction of the things you do every year and every day for your students."
Stokes says the support she has had over the years has turned her colleagues and students into family.
"They all have successful careers and I would like to say I had a hand in some of that," Stokes said. "I would just like to thank you all for always making my job easy."
Mrs. Stokes said retirement for her looks like part-time teaching, traveling and taking road trips.
Congratulations Mrs. Stokes! And Happy Teacher Appreciation Day to all the amazing educators working hard to make a difference in the lives of their students.