ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg teacher who is retiring at the end of this school year has spent 39 out of 40 years teaching in the same classroom.
Debbie Panico, a kindergarten teacher at Lakeview Fundamental Elementary School, is described as positive, calm and caring.
"I always tell the kids in my class that I have three jobs. It's to teach them, to love them and to keep them safe and that's what I hope they remember," Panico said.
The school held a surprise retirement celebration for her on Friday with current and former student speakers.
"She's the best teacher ever!" one of her kindergarten students said.
"She always loves me," another student said.
Sarah Sanders, a former student from 2003, was at the celebration. Sanders and Panico have kept in contact over the years, with Panico inspiring Sanders to become a kindergarten teacher herself.
"When you think about how important it is to have a strong teacher, especially in kindergarten, you think of Ms. Panico. She made me feel safe, loved, valued and proud of the work and helped me achieve my goals," Sanders said. "Now, I'm a kindergarten teacher just like Ms. Panico."
"She has impacted my life ever since I left her class 21 years ago," she added. "She's caring, loving and thoughtful. I loved kindergarten because of her, and I loved school because of her."
Sanders said she even still has one of Panico's "Good Girl" student awards.