Teachers were once students too, and some veteran teachers have seen these “new” teachers before. A handful of the teachers have taught other teachers in past years. Agriculture science teacher, Joe Lemmons used to teach agriculture science teacher, Magan Escamilla when she went to Kingwood High School. Now, the pair run the agriculture department as co workers.

“She was a small freshman and always had an addictive laugh– a very jovial laugh,” Lemmons said. “She always gave 110 percent and she always wanted to be a part of something, when she was asked to help out [she gave] little to no pushback”

Lemmons and Escamilla have known each other for 10 years. Escamilla recalls an event, where the two were in Washington D.C. and she met and told famous republican politician, Ted Poe, that she had decided to be an agriculture teacher.  

“Mr. Lemmons and I didn’t know each other that well because I was just a freshman,” Escamilla said. “But that stuck to him and it stuck to me. It is so cool to work with a mentor, especially since we have known each other for almost half our life.”

Lemmons had been teaching agricultural mechanics for 14 years. This is his first year at Vandegrift and this is Escamilla’s second year of teaching in general.

“We are equals, so being more on a peer level to where we are learning stuff from each other as we go throughout the years, I mean he has so much experience,” Escamilla said. “I am so fortunate to have that experience to call on to him. [We have] a good time and we still get our work done, he can teach me and I can teach him.”

Escamilla called Lemmons as soon as she heard that there was a spot open in the agricultural department at the school.

“[To have someone who is] proud to have you as a mentor is amazing,” Lemmons said. “And that’s the way she sees me, but honestly sometimes I see her as a mentor, so I mean I look up to her as well. I mean when we’re in this ag department, besides friends, we are a team. I don’t do anything without her knowing and same thing goes with her, so it is very important for us to communicate on many different levels, whether [we have a] good or bad day, and so far so good.”