When Angela "Angi" Niemi (Stenjem), a 1994 Stoughton High School graduate, recently celebrated earning her elementary education degree at age 49, she shared a beautiful tribute online:

"I have wanted to be a teacher since I sat in Mrs. Leikness’s class in first grade."

The Facebook post quickly found its way to Dawn Lenio (Class of 2002)—the daughter of that very first-grade teacher, Sara Leikness. Mrs. Leikness, who retired from Kegonsa Elementary in the late '90s and is now 84, was thrilled to hear the news.

"Of course I remember Angi!" she said. "She’s so deserving of her success." 

When Dawn connected with Angi to pass along her mother's congratulations, Angi explained the profound impact Mrs. Leikness had on her life.

"She was a teacher that made me feel ‘seen,’" Angi shared. "I remember feeling so smart and important in her class, and that is how I try to make my students feel, because of her!"

Angi has already been putting those lessons to use, teaching in her own Kindergarten classroom for the past two years while finishing her final college courses.

"Thinking of Mrs. Leikness makes me think about how I should’ve started my teaching journey so much sooner," Angi reflected. "She taught for so many years and made a difference in so many lives, where I didn’t start until 48 years old. I just hope that I can continue to have an impact like she did on me."

From a Stoughton first-grade classroom in the 1980s to a kindergarten classroom today, Mrs. Leikness’s legacy comes full circle. Congratulations, Angi, and thank you, Mrs. Leikness, for proving that a teacher's impact truly lasts a lifetime!