An Unexpected Reunion: Former Teacher Reconnects with Family in Half Moon Bay
When asked what was a summer 2023 highlight, Izzi Marketing and Communications Manager Angel Chang shares an unexpected full-circle moment that took her back 15 years. Photos shared with permission.
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“I think I taught his daughter!”
While on a birthday weekend getaway for my husband this summer, I recognized the parent of a former student who was working at a restaurant where we were dining.
Half Moon Bay is a popular Bay Area coastal escape and happens to be the town where I first taught right out of college. I proudly taught at Izzi at Half Moon Bay, a single classroom portable (also known as Half Moon Bay Head Start) next to a popular pumpkin patch. It’s where both my passion for early childhood education and my inspiration to write children’s books started. Even as we drove past my school site on the Great Highway, I didn’t think Half Moon Bay would work its magic on me, and yet it did.
2008-09 Half Moon Bay Head Start class photo at the pumpkin patch
I approached him to confirm his last name just as I remembered. “Excuse me, does your last name start with a Z?” I asked. “I taught your daughter and nephews!” I could see his effort to recall back 15 years, and then it clicked in him. “Yes! I remember you taught her different songs in Chinese!”
I was immediately emotional, because this family was really special to me. (I may have teared up over some calamari.) I taught his daughter Celeste who was 4 at the time and his two nephews Christian and Diego. All the parents were especially kind and friendly. I can still remember Christian’s mom sharing her amazing homemade tacos with pickled red onions.
Before dinner was over, I asked to take a selfie with the dad who had not changed much in 15 years and to tell his family I said hello! He requested that I share the photo with him over text. In response, his daughter Celeste, now 19, texted me back to my complete surprise.
She shared recent photos of all three of them from prom and graduation, and I sent back photos that I had from their preschool days with their same familiar face. What really got to me was when she wrote in her text, "We still always talk about you and our preschool days!" (Cue my overwhelming and emotional happy tears.)
Classroom photos from 2008-10 and provided by Angel Chang.
“Our favorite preschool memory would have to be the food activities! We remember when you had us make penguins out of eggs and olives!” Celeste recalls. “We also love how you exposed us to multiple languages, and we always love trying to remember how to sing the songs you would sing to us!”
Celeste is starting her 2nd year at College of San Mateo to study business, Christian is starting his 2nd year at College of San Mateo to study to be a mechanic. Diego is entering his senior year of high school. Photos provided by Celeste and family.
I was in the classroom for 2 years, so it's easy for me to think back on the handful of students I had. “It’s a very heartwarming feeling to know that we’re from such a tight knit and small community where everyone knows everyone,” Celeste shares. “Our first memory of community comes from your [preschool] classroom, and we will forever keep that foundation of community in our hearts.” I’m so grateful for this truly full circle moment.
This is but one magical ripple in the “Rising Tide” of our Izzi Early Education (formerly IHSD Inc.) community. Many of our teachers at Izzi have been around for 10+ years bringing a positive impact to hundreds of families. Looking forward to celebrating 40 years of high-quality child care and positive impact this fall on Saturday, October 14 at Curiodyssey! See you there!
