Nearly five decades after he first sat in her kindergarten class, Chip Cosby surprised his former teacher, Rebecca Hopkins, with a heartfelt reunion at Slaughter Elementary School.
Hopkins’ eyes grew large as she walked into a JCPS classroom for the first time since her retirement 14 years ago.
Waiting inside was Cosby—now a JCPS employee—holding a letter of thanks he had written just for her.
“I can’t believe it,” Hopkins exclaimed as she walked in and saw Cosby. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“It’s your favorite kindergarten student of all time,” Cosby said as he embraced her.
Cosby and Hopkins sat down at a desk, and he unfolded the letter.
“Forty-seven years ago, I walked into this building for the first time,” Cosby read. “I'm sure I was a nervous wreck. Little did I know that such a positive and caring presence would be there waiting for me. The harsh reality is, little black boys aren't always made to feel special. And even though it was long ago, I vividly remember you going out of your way to make me feel special.”
STAGING THE SURPRISE
Cosby, now a JCPS re-engagement specialist who helps students who are in alternative schools transition back to the comprehensive school system, was assigned to support Slaughter Elementary during the opening days of the 2025-26 school year. Being back in the halls where his education began made him think of Hopkins and the influence she had on him nearly 50 years ago.
He worked with Slaughter Principal Sara Adams to get Hopkins back in the building under the pretense of reading to a kindergarten class.
“I knew you’d come because you’re always there when kids need you,” Cosby said.
True to form, Hopkins showed up with not just a book to read—The Gingerbread Man, one of her favorites—but also a box of gingersnap cookies and coloring sheets for the students to go along with the story, turning storytime into an immersive lesson on taste, smell, and colors.
“Tell me what you remember of that little guy,” Cosby said, handing Hopkins his kindergarten picture as they sat together.
“Isn’t that just something,” Hopkins said, shaking her head as she looked at the picture. “I love it…You were a reader, and it was just wonderful.”
THE TEACHER WHO SAW HIM
Hopkins was Slaughter Elementary’s first kindergarten teacher in 1977-78, and Cosby was part of that inaugural kindergarten class. Hopkins taught kindergarten for a total of 24 years, taking breaks to raise her own children, and retired 14 years ago.
Her influence still guides Cosby today.
“You told me how smart I was and always encouraged me,” Cosby said in his letter. “You saw good in me early, and no matter what was going on in my life at the time, I could always go back to that.”
He reminded her that over the years, whenever his mother ran into Hopkins, she would always ask about him and share how proud she was of his accomplishments.
“Now I've come full circle,” Cosby said. “I'm working for JCPS and I can only hope that I can have anything close to the impact that you had on me.”
For Hopkins, the surprise was deeply moving.
"You say ‘that was your job,’” Hopkins said. “Yes, but it was more than that. It’s a heartfelt job. It’s not just pencil and paper. It’s a feeling.”
Cosby’s closing message for Hopkins was simple—thank you.
“Thank you for being you,” Cosby read. “Thank you for believing in me and helping me to realize that I could be somebody. And if all of our classrooms had a Mrs. Hopkins in it, this world would be a much better place.”