In quotes: now that she’s retired, Jeri Robinson goes back to kindergarten at her old school

“The Boston School Committee’s chair person helped kindergarteners on their first day of school Monday — 70 years after she started kindergarten at the very same school.

“Jeri Robinson remembers her first day at Hale Elementary School clearly — and credits it as the spark that led to her decades-long career in education.

“ ‘I remember going home on the very first day, telling my mother, “I know what I’m going to be when I grow up — I’m going to be a kindergarten teacher,” ’ Robinson said. ‘And it really did launch my career.’

“Robinson went on to have a career in education spanning more than 40 years, including work at Boston Public Schools and at the Boston Children’s Museum.

“She has since retired from teaching and from her post at the museum, but returns to the Hale school annually to help the new students on their first day ‘to be there in case anyone needs a hug.’ ”

— “Longtime Boston educator helps kindergarteners on their first day — 70 years after hers,” by Matt Fortin, NBC10 Boston, September 9, 2024