Sara Sandstrom, Nederland. Fish and chips. Peanut butter and jelly. Spaghetti and meatballs. Gin and tonic. Two peas in a pod. Macaroni and cheese. Ms. Forrest and Ms.Theodorakos. 

All these things I have mentioned go well together. They complement each other. The world pairs them together for good reason. We often cannot imagine one without the other. This is especially true for the last pairing, Ms. Forrest and Ms. Theodorakos, the powerhouse fifth-grade teacher team at Nederland Elementary School (NES) for over 20 years. Like so many things they have done together in their teaching career, they are retiring together. 

Every teacher knows they are replaceable. However, when you have two teachers who are as cohesive, solid, committed, and amazing as these two are, the hole they will be leaving at Nederland Elementary is going to be profound. 

Tammy Forrest came to Nederland Elementary in 1986. She started as a substitute teacher. She was hired as a Kindergarten teacher and taught that class in the old Black Forest Restaurant. In the morning she would kindergarten and in the afternoon she would teach a sixth grade class. 

Brenda Theodorakos also came to Nederland Elementary as a substitute teacher. She started in 1987. Both Brenda and Tammy taught a few different grade levels before landing in fifth grade. They both taught in the old school, which is now the Nederland Community Center. They saw the current elementary school being built and were the first teachers to be in the new school building. It was a very exciting time for everyone at Nederland Elementary.  

For over two decades they have been the fifth-grade teachers at NES. They work together so closely that staff members rarely say one name without the other. They finish each other’s sentences. They eat lunch together. They are best of friends. They are teaching partners in every sense of the word. When you ask them about it they laugh and say, “During the school year we see each other more than we see our husbands.” 

Longtime Nederland teacher Randy Sachter says that they are the best team of teachers she has ever seen. They got their Masters degrees together and brought all that knowledge and innovation back to the classroom. Ms. Theodorakos and Ms. Forrest have never seen themselves as having learned enough. They are always willing to improve their craft for the benefit of their students.

Ms. Theodorakos and Ms. Forrest have served on almost every committee in the school since the mid-1980s. They have been on the PTA, different teacher leadership groups, the School Accountability Committee, district math leadership, TAG, and hiring committees. Brenda was the yearbook sponsor for so many years she can not remember the exact number. Tammy ran the district Writers in the Schools program for six years. 

When they remember the after-school programs they led they laugh, recalling that Kindergarteners would take the entire time just to get the equipment on. These teachers always took care of the after-school gymnastics and rollerblading programs, as well as the Nederland Basketball Association (NBA) program for fourth and fifth graders. 

Most know that teaching is a challenging profession in many ways. So, how does someone stay in it for over 30 years? Tammy and Brenda will tell you that they both enjoy spending their days with kids. Kids have a natural joy and inquisitiveness to the world. They can be really funny and so sincere. They are really going to miss the relationships with their students and their colleagues. 

They also had each other through all these years. They had an instant friendship that started 34 years ago. When you have a teaching partner to get through the difficult conferences and bounce ideas off of and come up with a great new project, the years go more smoothly. You have someone to boost your confidence when needed and share the tasks with. What job isn’t made more enjoyable with a best friend? 

Ms. Theodorakos says, “I knew when I first walked into Nederland Elementary that it was the place I wanted to teach. I found my home at NES and for that I am forever grateful.”

Ms. Forrest says, “My work here in Nederland has been a gift and I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything. The people I’ve met and had the opportunity to work with have enriched my life. People have asked how I did it for so long...that answer is easiest of all. I have been happy, so incredibly happy.”

Their joy for teaching is always evident. NES counselor Kristen Kron says, “I have been in awe of Tammy and Brenda’s dedication, compassion, and high level instruction for all their learners. These two remarkable educators will be greatly missed. However, their legacy will continue to positively impact the NES community for years to come.”

Their years of experience and wisdom have been a great benefit to the elementary school and will be missed. We all know they deserve a retirement filled with days without a demanding schedule. Days when they can go hiking and skiing or just read a book for hours. Come August, 2021, it is going to feel strange without their presence at NES and we sure are going to miss our friends. 

(Originally published in the May 13, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)