A self-described “squirrely kid” as a kindergarten student in 2007, school could have been difficult for Nathan Alberts. Fortunately, however, his teacher at Eagle Bluff Elementary in Onalaska just happened to be Sarah Mumaw-Flury.

“She understood immediately that I was a ‘front-row, interactive learner’ with a lot of energy,” Alberts said. “She knew how to control it and get me to do my work and do it well.”

What would turn out to be a life-altering experience in kindergarten came full circle in the fall of 2024, when Alberts, a senior elementary education major at Viterbo University, began his student teaching assignment at Irving Pertzsch Elementary School, where his favorite educator, now working as the district’s behavior specialist, would be his colleague.

“She is the probably the main reason I wanted to be a teacher,” Alberts said in a joint interview with a briefly misty-eyed Mumaw-Flury in December. “I had a great time in her classroom, and having teachers like her who helped me has inspired me to become a teacher and help kids too. I was super surprised and happy to see her when I started at Irving Pertzsch. There was a big smile on my face because I remember how great kindergarten was.”

Alberts student-taught third and fourth grade at Irving Pertzsch as part of fulfilling his final Viterbo degree requirements. His favorite subject to teach was social studies.

“Nathan is doing amazingly well, and everyone in the building is very happy to have him here,” Mumaw-Flury said. “He is fitting in, and he really knows how to make relationships with the staff and students. I joke about ‘how can I be this old,’ to have a former student teaching, but really it’s super inspirational and exciting. I love seeing the great things my former students are doing with their lives, and when they want to make a difference or work in education, it’s even more exciting.”

Relationships and getting to know your students as individuals were two aspects stressed throughout his Viterbo education, said Alberts, who went from knowing very little about teaching as a university freshman to feeling well-prepared for the profession after his time at Viterbo and Irving Pertzsch Elementary School.

“We have diverse needs in our schools, and an important aspect of education is knowing your students and that they’re different,” Mumaw-Flury said. “All students want to learn, and different educational techniques are needed. Finding a way to meet the needs of our busy learners, or our tired learners, or hungry learners so that they can be successful is definitely both the most exciting and challenging part of teaching.”

Alberts greatly appreciated the “family and community” of Irving Pertzsch, which took on a special, more literal meaning for him. His mother, Suzanne Alberts, works at the school as a paraprofessional.

Planning to work as a substitute teacher before finding a full-time position in the greater Onalaska area, Alberts is inspired to make a difference in the lives of his students.

“As educators, we’re helping to prepare the next generation for their lives and future careers,” he said. “I’m excited to graduate and for the next chapter in my life.”

Reflections such as the ones Alberts shared mean a great deal to Mumaw-Flury.

“I feel so excited for Nathan and proud of him for what he’s done,” Mumaw-Flury said. “You always look back and reflect and ask yourself, “was I doing the right thing? Did I meet the student’s needs? Will they remember? So, it was an incredible opportunity to hear somebody say that. ‘Yeah, I do remember.’ ‘You did impact me.’ It feels amazing. I’m lucky to have that.”