Longtime Stockton educator marvels how schools, families support each other

As I approach my 75th birthday in June, I find myself reflecting on many things. Having been born and raised in Stockton, spent my career here and experienced many happy memories, I feel I have a deep and lasting perspective on where the beauty and wonder of our city truly live. I have seen it countless times in our schools.

To be transparent, I am a retired educator who spent many years in the Stockton Unified School District. My journey with SUSD began when I entered kindergarten and continued for more than 45 years as both a student and an educator.

As a young student, I remember the amazement of learning something new from a teacher. Along with that learning came a bond, the beginning of my respect and admiration for educators.

I also remember fondly the excitement and joy of participating in school activities such as carnivals and holiday programs. One Christmas program stands out in particular, when our class sang “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Every practice was filled with laughter and fun. On the day of the performance, we sang with excitement and pride, knowing our families were in the audience. I vividly recall looking out and seeing nothing but happiness on their faces.

Reflecting on that moment now, I realize how powerful the impact of educators is, not only on students, but on families and the greater Stockton community.

Experiences like these became early inspirations that stayed with me as I grew older and ultimately led me to pursue a career in education within the Stockton Unified School District.

When I first began teaching, I quickly understood how challenging the work could be and how great the responsibility was to educate children. There were certainly difficult days. But there were also many wonderful ones. Days when joy was visible on students’ faces, whether they were learning something new, participating in group activities, or simply enjoying one another’s company.

I especially remember the wonder and excitement of students participating in the Robert T. McKee Student Art Exhibition at the Haggin Museum, an event that continues to this day. The beauty and creativity displayed in those student art exhibitions reflect not only our students, but the spirit of our city itself.

After my teaching career, I had the privilege of serving as an elementary school principal. In that role, I had a front-row seat to the beauty and wonder present throughout an entire school.

I witnessed firsthand the extraordinary dedication of Stockton’s teachers, educators who consistently go above and beyond to meet the needs of their students. The relationships built between teachers and students in our city are truly remarkable, and those connections continue to grow and thrive even now.

Another beautiful thing in our schools is the families. I have always found beauty in the way families participate in and support their children’s learning in our city’s schools. Whether attending performances, volunteering in classrooms, helping with homework or simply encouraging their children to do their best, families play a vital role in education. Their presence sends a powerful message to students: that their learning matters and that they are not alone on their journey. This partnership between schools and families strengthens our classrooms and enriches the city of Stockton.

And so, when I am asked where I find the beauty and wonder in our city, I find it in our schools, where learning, relationships, families and hope come together to shape the future of Stockton.

John Semillo was born and raised in Stockton and dedicated his professional life to educating students.