ForeverMissed
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My 1st Grade Teacher

December 30, 2022
I remember her as Miss Schilling. I was in that first grade class in 1989. Looking back I now know i had a huge crush on her. Yes she was pretty, but I always remember how she made me feel…. Safe and comfortable. I know I’m 7 years late to this but I hadn’t thought about her for a long time until my son asked who my favorite elementary school teach was… easy choice. My family moved away the end of the year and I was allowed to finish out 1st; it was tough to leave all my friends and remember Ms. Schilling throwing a goodbye party for me and coordinating kids info for my parents to help stay in touch. I randomly googled to see if I can find her and unfortunately it led me here. She knew how much she touched the lives of her students. Ms. Schilling, see you again someday. Lots of love 

Soccer Friend and Mentor

February 20, 2016

I was so incredibly saddened to see the news about Tami in the St. Francis report I received yesterday. I haven't seen Tami (or Kristen) for over 30 years, but I remember her well. I was a freshman on the JV soccer team and Tami was a str on the varsity team. She and her boyfriend Dave befriended the little frosh and nicknamed me "Yacky the Duck," I think because of my bleach blonde unkempt hair from swimming. It was such a silly name, but somehow I loved it. I looked up to Tami like a big sister, and admired her on the soccer field but also as a friendly upper classman that was for some reason paying attention to me. I am not surprised at all to read all the stories about her about what a wonderful teacher and person she turned out to be. My deepest sympathy to you, Kristen and your family, I am so sorry for the loss of such a bright star. We are active members at St. Simon parish where my kids went to school, and I will have a Mass said for her in the near future. With Loving and Healing Thoughts, Kelly Walsh

October 14, 2015

I just found out today from another high school friend about Tami. Tami and I were the best of friends in high school. We met on the soccer field our freshman year at St. Francis. We became fast friends and decided to run track together in the spring. We even had shirts made saying "I'm Stacy, she's Tami" and "I'm Tami, she's Stacy" because our track coach constantly mixed us up. I have many fond memories of my high school years and most of them involve Tami.

I moved away from the Bay Area but attended several of our reunions with Tami. We had such a fun time reconnecting with our friends and even making new ones. Sadly, I couldn't talk Tami into going to our last reunion with me in 2012.

My heart goes out to her sister Kristen, her brother Guy and her dad. They have suffered such loss. Tami will be missed by many.
 

October 3, 2015

     Ms. Schilling was my 1st grade teacher, and she really changed me as a person and as a student. She pushed me to do better and encouraged my creativity. I was new at Fox at this time, and Ms. Schilling helped me make many friends that I am still close to tday. I know that she has done the same to many other students, and really helped them as much as she helped me.
     I will always remember Ms. Schilling in my heart. I will never forget how in 1st grade I always looked up to her and thought that she was the prettiest teacher at the whole school, and always tried to sit next to her in assenblies or in warm-ups. Thank you, Ms. Schilling, for all the things you did for me and for many others. We will never forget you.

Best Teacher at Fox!!!

September 30, 2015

Our Jennifer loved Your class, Ms. Schilling, and so did the entire family!  Of course we had Grandma Helen who loved helping, and taking pictures often, and I admired your brightness and ability to shine from afar...

I love that you and your sister Kristin had each other, Kristin you have our family's prayers in this sad time.  May your happy memories fill your heart, and replace your pain.


Lutich-Kimball Family

 

Making Every Moment Special

September 27, 2015

     Tami and I shared a love for reading and over the years had numerous conversations about books we enjoyed.  She introduced me to Alexander McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland series.  I remember her gushing about how much she loved The Help, and of course we both loved  the works of Jane Austen.  One day she told me she had watched the Kiera Knightly “Pride and Prejudice” movie and loved it.  I was surprised to learn that she had never seen the 6 hour BBC version of the book which is the epitome of all “Pride an Prejudice” movies.  I told her she had to see it and even offered to give her my copy.  Some time later, my son brought me a card given to him by Tami, the text of which I have attached.   It was such a sweet gesture and I have kept the card with my special mementos from Fox.  This is just one example of how Tami could transform everyday moments into treasured, long-lasting memories.  

September 25, 2015

My son, Kyle Yeh, never liked to draw, but when I saw the card he made for
Ms. Schilling, I knew how much he loved her and how she inspired him. 
He had a wonderful, wonderful year with Ms. Schilling. 

September 24, 2015

Fridays at Fox were library days for Tami's class, and she always came in smiling with her students. She definitely made library time fun for all of them, every single time! It seems like every visit started with me greeting Tami with some silly compliment (if I had a dime for every time I told her I liked her sweater...). I think we compliment people a lot when we really like them, and I truly hope she knew how highly I thought of her. She was such an amazing and special teacher.

I went to the ALA convention last June and stood in line to meet Suzi Esterhaus and receive a copy of her newest book. I found out that this "book giveaway" was only for a pre-publication copy (unbound pages with no cover), which I couldn't use in the library. I really didn't have a lot of time, but I stayed in line because I knew that Tami loved this author and she would want to see the new book. I thought maybe she could find a way to use it in her classroom, so I told Suzi Esterhaus all this and asked if she could autograph the book for the class. I was so excited to give this to Tami, and so sad that I never got the chance. And now, these little unbound pages that seemed so useless for the library feel like one of the most special things in there.

Sugar

September 23, 2015
Sugar

I am so grateful that people are sharing stories, pictures, everything on this site because I find it so incredibly soothing.  So I'll add one in hopes that people will keep them coming...

Tami and I connected over many things (of course- she connected with almost everyone, didn't she?).  But one of the many things that I loved about her was that she was F-U-N, fun.  We both shared a love of music- all kinds.   We would exchange songs and song ideas for morning warm-ups.  And those cleanup song cd's she handed at the end of the year?   How fun were those!?  

While I have many great memories of Tami, a fun one I had recently was last spring when I was in her classroom while the cleanup song, "Sugar" (by Maroon 5) was on.  It was the 2 of us and 25 adorable first graders dancing our hearts out to the song.   Totally and completely in the moment, and not a care in the world.

I ALSO loved it when she would put on GoNoodle on the smart board (I like to think it was for me) so we could watch the kids dance along with it.  Pure gold.  We would laugh and appreciate the cuteness.

 When I think of Tami, I think of light.  Beautiful light.  And that puts a smile on my face, even through the tears.

September 23, 2015

When school was renovated a few years ago, Tami put this on her door leading out of her magical class into the middle room. It was the simplest sweetest message for kids, teachers. and parents to see as they passed in and out of her special 1st grade world. It is now her way to continue to be part of our day and I hope it stays for a long long time. 

Always a smile

September 23, 2015

My memories of Tami will always be of her always smiling and her youthfulness. I always use to say she is ageless.  One of my memories was  about 17 years ago there was a bad somach  flu going around and Ms. Schilling's  entire class was out sick for one whole day.. I volunteered to help her Lysol every single inch of her class to make sure it was germ free. Although she thought this was a once in a life time day to catch up and as I cleaned she joked around that this would never happen again and she was all smiles to be able to catch up. I can't remember a day of my 9 years consecutive at fox not seeing a smile on her face.  The Stahl family is so  sad to hear of her passing but we know she will still smile down upon us. May she RIP

All Time Best Teacher Ever

September 23, 2015

Ms. Schilling taught me how to be confident through writing.  I published my first book about Bella my dog that I will always treasure. Hopefully I can make my children smile one day when I read it  to them, like she made me smile everyday.
I love you Ms. Schilling. xo
  

It was just yesterday....

September 23, 2015

Tami – it’s been quite a few years since I have been a Fox School parent but you were one of ‘my’ very special teachers that keep me coming back every year when the school year begins and ends. Sadly, I did not get a chance to come by this past June.

I recalled how thrilled we were (15 years ago) that Nicole was in your class but concerned that she would not be challenged in your 2/1 split. Our worries were squashed within the first week of school and Second Grade turned out to be a wonderful year. She learned about photosynthesis that became useful in middle school science and writer’s workshop proved to make her a successful writer in high school and college.

Do you remember Nicole calling Mr. Marchetti a ‘Sloth’ as he was dragging behind many of the students during the Foxtrot fundraiser? You got the biggest kick and we laughed about that for weeks. Every time we saw him we would laugh…. ‘Sloth’…lol.

How about the time when Danny was learning about nocturnal animals in pre-school? Danny came home and wanted to know the opposite of nocturnal The Internet back in 2000 was not as advance and the dictionary was no help. You saved us and as a family, we learned a new word - Diurnal. I am still requesting a refund from my alma mater.

I haven’t had one since my Fox school days, but I am going to make a Starbuck run for a ‘Grande caramel Frappuccino” to celebrate how lucky we were to have you in our lives. You will always be in our hearts. We love you Tami 

Only One You

September 22, 2015

     I first met Tami as a parent tutor in her class fiteen years ago. My son was in her class and I found myself volunteering hours there. She encouraged me to become a teacher and this year, I now have ten years teaching in the district.

     She was loved by all her students, parents of her "kiddos", her colleagues and many others. She gave everything to this world and was a true inspiration. I feel honored and blessed to have known her and will miss her dearly. When I have a hard day, I think of her big white smile, happy laugh, and golden curls. She always had positive things to say and is in many ways my hero.

     She let me borrow all of her files in my first year of teaching and always checked in with me when she was on our campus with her student teachers. Even after my children had moved on from Fox, I went to see her and check out what she was doing in her classroom during Open House evenings!  I am glad that I let her know I held her on a pedestal and know her spirit will continue to live on in many of us whose lives she has touched.

     She will be dearly missed and I intend to "pay it forward" by honoring her generosity and sincere dedication to this profession. She left us far too early and it is our responsibilty to carry on her legacy through our lives. No one can ever replace her but we can keep her spirit alive through our actions.
xo :)

That backpack

September 22, 2015

How many fieldtrips/trips has that backpack seen?

The Twins

September 22, 2015

Alejandro and Amelie have the same birthday, so Lorena and I managed to get first and second grade birthday shots of the kids and the "twins"... we missed her last year in third grade... this was the first grade birthday celebration in 2012 :)

September 22, 2015

Tami didn't eat too many sweets, at least not when this picture was taken. I got her to take a bite of the dougnut on the Krispy Kreme field trip and get evidence. The kids thought it was pretty fun that she did it.

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