WAUWATOSA, Wis. — A former West Allis teacher and student reunited in a unique way nearly three decades after first meeting in the classroom at Frank Lloyd Wright Middle School.
Marion Pagenkopf worked as a teacher for more than 35 years. During that time, she met a lot of students along the way. Recently, she got a surprise reunion with one of them.
Pagenkopf and her husband have been living at Harwood Place Senior Living in Wauwatosa for about a year. The move into their new apartment prompted Pagenkopf to go through lots of boxes. In one of them, she pulled out a special book of messages from former students. It was given to her when she retired. She said it’s one of her favorite things.
“It’s good to look back and feel like you did something for these kids, for sure,” said Pagenkopf.
Ironically, while moving, she ran into one of the students who wrote a sweet message in the book.
“I am glad you were my teacher this year. You were one of my favorite teachers. You helped me improve my grades a lot. I hope you have a happy retirement. Your student Melanie Hansen. P.S. I will never forget you,” the note read.
Melanie Hansen, who had Pagenkopf as a teacher in seventh grade, now works at Harwood Place Senior Living. She helps move new residents in and makes sure they have what they need.
“I walked out and saw her,” Hansen said. “I knew it was her right away because of the haircut and how she looked. It was amazing and full circle how that can happen. I love that I can help them now and that we are friends now.”
Pagenkopf recognized Hansen immediately as well, and within days showed her the book of messages. Hansen was surprised she still had it.
The two women are now able to meet up often. It’s a teacher-student bond that was able to turn into a future friendship.
“You want to know your students made it,” Pagenkopf said. “She’s made it. She’s fine. I expected that.”