What's in a legacy?

Claudene Wilson has worked at The Swedeborg District III Elementary School in Missouri for 32 years. During this time, the 64-year-old worked as a handywoman, plumber, custodian, and bus driver. Her most important job, however, was always being there for the children.

For three decades, Claudene greeted every child by name as they came to school in the morning. She stopped by classes with a warm hello and a smile throughout the day, and was always there to help the staff and students in whatever capacity she was needed.

So when Claudene announced her retirement this year, the school community wanted to honor her decades of service. In August, they renamed their school building the “Claudene Wilson Learning Center," so her legacy will live on for decades to come.

• A humble Claudene was shocked at the school’s gesture, saying: “I’m not here to say I’m a hero. I’m not. It’s an honor to work here. I just do it for the kids.”

The support for the move was overwhelming. The school board, led by its president, Chuck Boren, voted unanimously to rename the building after Claudene, CNN reports. 

And in a way, it brings things full circle. Chuck was in the eighth grade when Wilson started at the school in 1992. Now, his 14-year-old son, Canaan, is a student there and gets the same lessons Claudene gave him decades ago. 

And he's not the only one. Nearly everyone in the tight-knit community of Swedeborg knows her impact on the school. 

• “If you go out in the community and say you’re from Swedeborg, the first thing they’re going to say is, ‘Is Claudene still there?’” according to the school’s assistant administrator, Mark Sasfy.

❤️ Bottom line: While Claudene is honored by the recognition, she shares that more than anything, she just wants the kids at school to be kind. “I don’t want them to be like me. I want them to be nice, kind, and think of others. Don’t argue, don’t fuss, don’t divide. Just (be) nice, humble, smile, and move on.”