Rosemary Weddington taught hundreds of students in her 33 years as a Spanish teacher at Franklin County High School.
That career took her from the classroom to the state Department of Education, to the college campus as an instructor " and now as a student herself, working toward a doctorate in higher education administration.
Weddington was one of five longtime educators inducted into the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame Tuesday, recognized for their contributions to the profession.
"I just wish every teacher could be honored like this and feel this way," Weddington said.
"This is a blessing to show all teachers that they are appreciated."
The Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame was established in 2000, funded by a
contribution from former Gov. Louie B. Nunn. The first class was inducted in 2008, and new members will be added each year.
Each nominee must have at least 19 years of teaching experience, and school districts, educators or students can nominate teachers for the honor.
Also inducted Tuesday were Theresa Cowherd of Bowling Green, Dale Faughn of Fredonia, Jessie Pearl Comer Jackson of Gamaliel, and Hilda Willis Jenkins of Bowling Green.
The hall of fame is housed at Western Kentucky University.
Weddington said it's the students who motivate her to stick with a career that now spans 55 years.
"My plumber is a former student, my electrician is a former student " I see my former students everywhere," she said. "I love to see them. I look into their eyes, and that little student is still in there."
Weddington began her teaching career in her hometown of Pineville, Ky. She joined the FCHS staff in 1955, staying until her retirement in 1988.
But retirement didn't stick for Weddington. She worked at the Kentucky Department of Education for three years, organizing recognition and special events. Her boss, Dr. John H. Brock, was a former student.
She later became a Spanish instructor at Kentucky State University and taught classes at Berea College and Eastern Kentucky University, her alma maters.
"Rosemary knows all of her students and to this day continues to love and cherish each one of them," said Frankfort resident Dawn McDonald, a friend who attended Tuesday's ceremony.
"It's like they are still right there in her classroom."
McDonald was never a student in Weddington's class, but she said her friend never stops teaching. She helps local church leaders learn Spanish and even gives scrapbooking lessons.
"Every person that I have met that had her as a teacher in school, when I mention her name they just light up," she said.
"She's one of a kind."
In a year, Weddington hopes to complete her doctorate from the University of the Cumberlands. She wants to apply her new knowledge toward working with student teachers at KSU.
Though she admits that many of her students have forgotten the Spanish she taught them more than 20 years ago, she hopes the life lessons she gave them remain.
"I have been privileged to have students in my career that were not only pleasant to be with, but pleasant to teach, and to help them to see how valuable an education is," Weddington said.
"I'm very grateful that I had the chance to teach them."