Hoover's Heroes: ‘Selfless, devoted' pre-k teacher dedicates nearly 2 decades in classroom
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – For young mothers, especially working moms, if they can't be home with their babies, they want a happy, loving place that feels like a community.
In Huntsville's Chapman Mountain, you'll find a special place where News 19 heard from a parent who wants to show a particular teacher how much she is loved and appreciated.
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'She's the most selfless, kind, humble, loving teacher ever,' Melissa Owens said.
It's the last day before summer break, and Pre-K teacher Robbie Honeycutt can't help but get a little lump in her throat.
'It is very emotional. You get very attached to your children,' Honeycutt said.
For 18 years, Robbie has taught the little ones at Epworth United Methodist Mom's Day Out Pre-K and Kindergarten.
Hoover's Heroes: Teacher who is a 'guiding light' for both students and staff
That's 18 years of class photos, morning carpet time and last days of school. She loves her job of teaching children at such a magical time in their lives. That's because Honeycutt says once children reach kindergarten, time seems to go fast.
Feeling all the emotions of the day is Melissa Owens. Her son Maverick is in Honeycutt's class and he's the last of Melissa's children to come through Epworth.
'Epworth has been home,' said Owens.
Owens is fighting back tears because Honeycutt has played such a big part of her family's life. Honeycutt is someone she calls a hero to all her preschoolers.
'She's a hero not just to me but to the community here at Epworth,' said Owens.
Melissa nominated Honeycutt to be recognized as a Hoover's Hero, writing in to News 19 about her selflessness and dedication to going above and beyond in the classroom.
'We love on them a lot. I have great co-teachers. You may come in in a bad mood and you saw Maverick saying I love you. You just get a hug and it makes your day much better,' Honeycutt said.
Hugs are a big part of the day for Honeycutt's class because life sometimes gets hard, even in the Pre-K.
'I'm not going to push a child away. If they want a hug, I'm not going to do that. I just love them. If they want to hug me then I'm going to hug them back,' Honeycutt said.
While learning their letters and writing their names is the goal before kindergarten, life lessons mean just as much.
'Treat others how you would want to be treated,' Honeycutt said.
Owens says they are lessons taught by a teacher who always puts others before herself and never asks for anything in return.
'She doesn't know that she deserves it and doesn't realize how loved she is,' Owens said.
To nominate a hero in your community, you can fill out the form for Hoover's Heroes here.
Then watch News 19 at 5 every Monday to see your hero and others get the recognition they deserve!
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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