SAN MARCOS, TX (Nexstar) — Connie Bagley kicked off his 51st year as a teacher in August. With Texas teachers leaving in record time, she’s not going to leave just yet.

The 73-year-old educator has spent more than half his career teaching countless Texas students in both public and private schools. Bagley found that in 2018 she joined San Marcos Academy and since 1986 she has been teaching children of a former student at San Marcos CISD where he taught at Crockett Elementary.

“Now that I’m seeing my students’ children, I think I’ll retire when I can see their grandchildren,” she said.

After leaving the San Marcos CISD, she planned to retire, but was approached by the principal of the San Marcos Academy to join their team and help start the lower grades of the school. Currently, she works as a dyslexia specialist, helping students who are struggling to navigate learning differences.

“I was the mother dealing with it. My son hadn’t learned to read in the traditional classroom alone and needed extra tutoring,” she said. “And don’t make it ‘oh, unreadable.’ They leave with the understanding, ‘I’m smart, I can do this.’ “

Bagley recognizes that many things have changed since she first started teaching, and admits that private school was a different experience. , questioning whether they survived the pandemic and the difficulties it brought to educators.

“[Teachers] “We are being asked for a lot more than we have ever been asked,” she said. “I worry a lot about it. I worry about a whole generation of children who have lost two years of education.”

“If you get into this profession, I hope you can do it because it’s a passion and something you feel like doing. You definitely don’t come in for a paycheck.” Because,” said Bagley.

While she’s certainly faced ups and downs in her 51 years as an educator, Bagley said it’s the children that she’s coming back to. they.

“You have to make everyone feel important because they are important and some people come in and don’t feel important,” she said. “Join with the attitude to make a difference in someone’s life today.”

In 2017, Bagley received one of the highest honors for an educator, being named National Teacher of the Year for her work helping students with disabilities. She received an invitation to visit the White House for the National Teachers Hall of Fame.

“That’s the peak. Teaching kids how to read, teaching them how to be self-advocates. Learn what makes you smart, because they’re smart. A highly intelligent child,” she said.