Former Mill Creek Elementary student returns as teacher

MADISON, Ala. ( WHNT ) — Mill Creek Elementary School is celebrating a milestone. For the first time since the school opened in 2009, one of its new teachers is a former student.

“When I got the interview, I was, you know, very excited and just so excited when I got the job,” said first-year teacher Kate Byrne.

Byrne is a recent graduate from Auburn University and is excited to start her teaching career in the school where her love for learning began.

“I moved to Madison in fourth grade,” Byrne said. “That’s when I started coming to Mill Creek.”

Byrne attended the school for fourth, fifth and sixth grade and is excited to work with some of her former teachers.

“I think there’s about five teachers still here that were here when I went to school here,” Byrne said. “So, it’s funny, like just walking and trying to, you know, go from them being my teachers to them being my coworkers now.”

Wade Thaxton, one of Byrne’s former teachers, was thrilled to see his name on the list of new teachers.

“Teaching the students during the school year, you’re like, you don’t know how they’re going to grow up, but you just want the best for them, and you want to have an impact,” Thaxton said. “So to have Kate come back and impact others where, hopefully, she was impacted by us is really a testament for Madison City Schools.”

Thaxton teaches fifth-grade math at Mill Creek Elementary School and is going into his 18th year with the school district. He shared this piece of advice for any new teachers:

“Really enjoy those great days and the days that are tough. Just know that the kids don’t know it was tough. It’s just tough on you in there. They love you, and you just love them back,” Thaxton said.

Byrne told News 19 that she’s excited to welcome her 21 third-grade students on Thursday.

“I think the age of third grade, 8 to 9, is such a fun and exciting age for kids,” Byrne said. “You know, they’re growing up a little bit, they’re learning more that school is more serious, so I’m excited to just be with them and that and just be that person of support for them.”

Madison City School’s first day of classes is Thursday, August 1.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.