From JK to Grade 8: Teacher and Student Reconnect at SMCS
When newly enrolled Grade 8 student Joshua Malec was four, Ms. Lee was his junior kindergarten teacher.
“I remember how much growth we shared that year in 2017–18,” says St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) teacher Jennifer Lee. “It was his very first school experience as a four-year-old, and my first and only time teaching junior kindergarten after spending over a decade with intermediate and junior students.”
Lee remembers Malec as a focused and curious student who was quick to smile when he mastered something new.
“He was such a bright, sweet presence in the classroom—always focused when it was time to work, but quick to flash a warm smile once he engaged,” she says. “I remember guiding him through the fundamentals, from French phonics to learning how to tie shoes and wrangle snow pants!”
Malec remembers Ms. Lee’s classroom as being organized, with weekly French quizzes and art projects.
“I remember thinking how very welcoming and patient she was,” says Malec. “Based on how she kept her classroom, I would never have known that it was her first time teaching kindergarten. Our entire class made Christmas ornaments that were gingerbread men. I still have my ornament to this day. I think it was made from clay, and it had my name on it. It showed that she really cared about our class.”
Seven years later, Malec and Ms. Lee have crossed paths again at SMCS. Malec is in his first year at SMCS as a Grade 8 student, while Ms. Lee is in her eighth year teaching in the Moderns Department.
The connection was made when Malec’s family started looking at SMCS. At last year’s Open House, Malec realized that his former JK teacher was now working at the school.
“I was very happy and wondered if she would be my teacher again,” Malec says.
His parents were also excited to reconnect with Ms. Lee.
“My parents told me that it would be awesome if she was my first and last teacher,” recalls Malec. “I know my parents really respected her. They looked forward to the art shows she hosted.”
For Lee, finding out that a prospective family was asking about her and that it was Joshua Malec was a surprise.
“It all started last year during Open House,” she says. “The next day, a colleague mentioned that a prospective family had been asking around for me, but I had no idea who it was at the time.”
The reunion then happened when Malec attended a Shadow Day, and when Lee ran into Malec’s parents on the same day and again during his entrance exam.
“Finding out it was Joshua was a complete shock and absolutely surreal—realizing that tiny JK boy from 2017 was now stepping into SMCS right here was amazing!” she says.
For Lee, seeing Malec again also brought back memories of his time in JK.
“One moment that sticks out is watching him during hands-on learning—he would get so intently focused, building elaborate block structures on the play mat with total concentration, and then look up with a proud, bright smile when he finished,” Lee says.
She also remembers watching his French develop throughout the year.
“Seeing him go from learning basic letter sounds to reading and speaking full sentences by the end of June was one of the most rewarding moments of my entire teaching career,” she says.
Malec recognized Lee right away when he saw her again.
“It was very good to see Ms. Lee—she hasn’t changed a bit,” says Malec. “It is a very nostalgic moment for me. Ms. Lee was a very caring teacher, so it makes me feel right at home.”
Now fully immersed in SMCS, Malec is looking forward to the many co-curricular opportunities available to him, especially sports.
“I am hoping to play hockey, lacrosse, and join the Table Tennis Club here at SMCS,” adds Malec. “However, I am also ready and excited to try new things.”
And while Ms. Lee is not his teacher this year, having a familiar face from his first school experience at SMCS has made the new school feel a little more familiar.
For Lee, the connection has reminded her how much can change in seven years.
“It is deeply rewarding and humbling,” she says. “Having spent most of my career teaching older students, that single year in JK holds a special place in my heart because I learned as much from them as they did from me.”
And there may still be another chapter to the story. While Lee is not currently Malec’s teacher, she could potentially teach him French before he graduates.
“To think I was his very first teacher in kindergarten, and now here we are—maybe I’ll even end up being his last high school French teacher before he graduates!” Lee says.
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