Deborah Davis is retiring from Mableton Elementary after 35 years of teaching.
MABLETON - If you think of five and six year olds as little flowers - watered to grow with knowledge and curiosity, you'll understand how teacher Deborah Davis sees them.
"I always think of myself as a gardener and I think kindergarten is the best name," she said. "Helping them to grow and become productive citizens".
At Mableton Elementary, where she has taught for 25 of her 35 years of teaching, Davis uses a mix of "old school and new school" methods.
She encourages students to bring in items for "show and tell" time, but she also enjoys using the smart board and other new school tools.
"I embrace the new technology, but I don't take throwaway the old and that's what the kids love," she said.
She has enjoyed every moment of her career as an educator, but she's retiring at the end of this school year to spend time with her grandchildren.
Just the thought of Mableton Elementary without her makes her legions of fans sad.
"Our children have just blossomed with her," said Kate Keib, the mother of a former student. "You meet neighbors who say 'my child did so well with Ms. Davis' and you say, 'Really? All that time ago?'" The thought of losing her. It has really struck a nerve with us."
It's why a group of parents nominated her for the 11Alive Class Act Award.