Dan & Kim: Best Friends Forever!

February is Heart Month at The Worthy Educator, honoring those special colleagues who make a difference in our lives and careers, celebrating how longterm, loyal, caring, nurturing, professional friendships enhance our experience as professionals!

Dan Reichard pays tribute to Kim Austin:

They say our lives are defined by small, pivotal moments, and my friendship, and Kim Austin is the ultimate proof. My first day as a college graduate in Pittsburgh, PA, began with an 8:00 AM Sunday phone call. It was Kim, inviting me to interview for a third-grade teaching position in Stafford, Virginia. I packed my station wagon, gathered the last pennies to my name, and headed south, unaware I was driving toward my future.

There are so many favorite stories with Kim. The greatest came in my first year teaching. She stopped by my classroom and asked if I could stop by her office during my planning time later in the day. Now for a first year teacher, that is a terrifying, gut wrenching feeling waiting to find out why she wanted me to stop by. Long story short, she was taking me to the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. This trip inspired us to create an entire social-emotional learning experience for the kids of our school. This was one of many incredible opportunities Kim granted me. Perhaps the greatest memory of all is of Kim simply showing up for me in tough times when she probably had a thousand other things to do.

Kate Waller Barrett was the school where I was destined to begin my career, and Kim Austin was the principal I had always dreamed of working for. By the time I walked out of her office, I had a job offer in hand. I drove to the Central Office to sign the papers that very afternoon. What began as a career opportunity blossomed into a lifelong friendship—one that fundamentally changed the course of my life.

From the second I stepped into Kate Waller Barrett Elementary, the warmth was palpable. Kim met me not with a formal handshake, but with a giant hug. During our conversation, she was intentional in her questioning and clearly driven by her vision for what was possible for the staff, students, and families of Barrett. It is often said that you can quickly understand a school’s culture by walking into the front office and speaking with the leadership; that couldn’t be more true.

Kim has been by my side as my greatest mentor and coach from the very first day she hired me fresh out of college. She has presented me with opportunities during all of those 13 years that have challenged me to become the person I am today. She's been there for my highest of highs and my lowest of lows. I am who I am today because of Kim Austin.

Kim, Thank you for always being there for me. From the very first day you called me on a Sunday morning the day after I graduated college to ask me to visit your school in Virginia to all these years later, you've always been there for me. You've encouraged me to always reach higher and to always stay true to who I am.

Thank you,

Dan Reichard

A Worthy Educator

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See our entire celebration of #edufriends and share your tribute to a special colleague or group of peers here so that we can honor you and them!