Outside Park Layne Elementary, a garden blooms with white flowers, and a Christmas tree that is guarded by the statue of an angel- all dedicated to the memory of one of the school’s most beloved teachers.

A graduate of Tecumseh High School, Sherry Street worked on a Native American Reserve in Arizona before returning to her home district as a substitute teacher in 1994. In 1996, Street was hired as the Title I teacher before becoming both a first grade and second grade teacher at Park Layne Elementary School. Street combined her love of teaching with her love of Mickey Mouse, and taught her students amidst a classroom full of Mickey memorabilia.
A loving mother to her daughter Samantha and a wonderful teacher, Street was diagnosed with cancer during the 2005-2006 school year. Truly devoted to her work, Street took her chemotherapy treatments through a pouch on her waistband in order to be at school.
“Even through her illness, she was very dedicated to the kids,” said Kathryn Randenburg, one of Street’s fellow teachers.
Tragically, Street lost her battle with cancer in May of 2007, leaving the world with the triumph of touching so many young lives.  Having left such a huge impact on the people around her and the students that she had dedicated her life to, it was decided that something was to be done memory of one of the school’s most special teachers. A memorial garden was placed in the back of Park Layne Elementary School; near the playground where people will pass by day after day and undoubtedly remember Street and her devotion to her work. Donations of flowers were taken to be placed in the garden, and when the flowers bloomed, they all turned out to be white, a fate that was completely unplanned. Alongside the flowers, a pine tree was planted, symbolizing the fact that Street’s birthday was only days before Christmas. A statue of an angel was placed in the garden, along with a Tecumseh Arrows garden-plaque, a representation of the district that she loved.
Even now, years after her passing, Street is still giving back to the Tecumseh district in the form of a scholarship. The scholarship, entitled the Sherry Street Memorial Scholarship is worth $1000 and is presented in the memory of Street to one Tecumseh High School senior at the end of each year. To raise money for the scholarship, Tecumseh teachers pay a weekly fee so that they can wear jeans to work on Friday’s. The most recent scholarship was awarded to Alayna Eben, who is attending Northern Illinois University to major in Health and Physical Education and to participate in their gymnastics program.
“I really appreciate being awarded this scholarship and it’s nice to know that how much everyone cares about helping students continue their schooling. Going into education, I hope to someday give back in the same way,” Eben stated.
As the school year approaches, there is already money into the fund for next year’s scholarship.
Street gave so much to the district, and in form of her memorial garden and the scholarship in her name, everyone in the district will always remember Street for her dedication and love of teaching.
Fellow second grade teacher Amy Hall sums up what seems to be a popular opinion of Street. “She was a collaborative teacher and very easy to work with. She was a wonderful teacher and she was very dedicated.”