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With a name like Zupko, you have to get used to being the last name called for attendance, and even being at the end of the list of graduating seniors accepting diplomas.

But, for Quinncy Zupko there’s a big old number one affixed to her name now,  as this fall she becomes what is believed to be Chisago Lakes’ first alum taking over a classroom  of a teacher they had in school themselves.

That’s not all.

When Quinncy steps into her first grade classroom at Chisago City Primary School, she becomes half of a unique mother-daughter staffing duo at Chisago Lakes.   Her mother, Kerry Zupko, has a first grade classroom a couple doors away.  

Kerry, Quinncy and the retiring teacher who Quinncy succeeds, Mary Lueth, met on school grounds a few days ago to soak it all in.  

Mary Lueth brandished a note that Quinncy wrote for her in 2005, (Lueth saves stuff like that.)  In it she thanks her teacher for a fun year and promises Mrs. Lueth that she would always be her helper.  

Quinncy gratefully attributed being able to read and write to her wonderful teacher, and didn’t forget to point out that her reading scores were above everybody else’s.

Those academic chops  held strong as Quinncy, Wildcat Class of 2016,  got through college at St. Mary’s in Winona in three and a half years.

She has already done a several weeks-long assignment teaching fourth graders in Anoka as a long term sub.

 As soon as she heard Mrs. Lueth was leaving teaching she was amped to apply at Primary School.

 Yet,the odds were steep-- after all who gets to step into the shoes of an adored teacher who made a lasting impression and have mom working just down the hall?

Chisago Lakes District Superintendent Dean Jennissen says, actually, Chisago Lakes is in the fortunate position of having hired about 20 former students for employment.

“Great teachers inspire students to consider being teachers,” Jennissen commented.  

Also, kids who grow up here want to return and raise their kids here, in quality communities, he added.

“We will always hire the best possible staff member for our students and many times it’s a Chisago Lakes grad...which speaks to the points I’ve listed. Chisago Lakes grads are great hires in all fields,” he concluded.

Even though she has experience teaching in distance learning mode,  Quinncy is anticipating being able to work in her own, first physical classroom space.  She is right there alongside most parents,  optimistically rooting for schools to reopen.  “I am crossing my fingers we come back to school in fall.”  

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