Htee Moo and Day Say met each other in 2008 when they were classmates and English Language Learner students at Willard Elementary in Des Moines. Years later they are back again at Willard, not as students, but as first-year teachers.

Day is a kindergarten teacher and Htee is a first-grade teacher at their elementary school alma mater.

Htee’s family immigrated to the United States from Myanmar in January 2008, when she began 2nd grade at Willard. “The teachers at Willard helped me through tough times while trying to learn English,” she recalled in a story on the Des Moines Public Schools website. “Willard was the school that helped me start my journey to be where I am today as an educator.”

Day, born in Thailand to parents from Burma, enrolled in Willard in first grade shortly after moving to Iowa. Reflecting on her time at Willard, she noted that, “… Willard was the best experience I had. I remember the fun field days and just how awesome the school is and I had great friends and teachers.”

Recognizing the value of education and the impact a teacher can have on the lives of their students, Moo and Day began to consider teaching as a career, participating in programs such as the district’s Dream to Teach initiative, before graduating from Iowa State University, where they even spent time as college roommates.

With career paths that were inspired by their own experiences, Day emphasized the impact of her teachers on her journey, saying, “Many teachers impacted my life throughout the years. Learning English was not easy. Just seeing how teachers were patient with me and how loving and caring they were, they inspired me to become and educator.”

Htee’s motivation to become an educator stemmed from her desire to provide other children with the same opportunities she had. “I want to be able to give back to the community and have more teachers of my own race,” Htee expressed. “Education has always played a big important role in my life, so I want to be that teacher who also impacts other students’ lives. I am passionate about helping students learn, grow, and be accepted for who they are as a person. I love to see each student grow into a unique person.”

Although the start of the 2023-24 school year brought unusually hot weather, including an early dismissal on the second day of classes, it didn’t dampen their enthusiasm for returning to Willard as teachers.  

Principal Julie Kruse, who joined Willard while Htee and Day were students there, expressed her excitement at welcoming back two alumni back as teachers. Both Htee and Day conveyed their gratitude for the support they received from Kruse and everyone at the school, which helped launch their careers as educators.

As Day puts it, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”