Written by Nina Blakey
Every educator has had that student.
The one you worry about long after they leave your classroom.
The one you know is capable of more, even when they don’t believe it themselves.
The one you hope will eventually find their way back.
For Phoenix Alternative Education Program, that student was Cristopher (Cris) Chavez.
By the time Cris left school, life had already moved on. He was working at a local car dealership, focused on making a living and building a future. School felt like something unfinished, but also something that no longer felt possible.
The difficult part? He was incredibly close.
Cris only needed one remaining requirement to earn his diploma: the Reading SOL.
During his senior year, he took the assessment several times but was unsuccessful. Even after he left school, Kelly Richardson refused to let him believe that one test defined his future. She continued reaching out, encouraging him to keep trying and offering afternoon and weekend remediation sessions to work around his schedule.
At the time, Cris simply wasn’t ready.
Eventually, they lost touch.
And honestly, for many students, that’s where the story ends.
But months later, in the most unexpected place, everything changed.
While shopping for a vehicle, Ms. Richardson suddenly heard someone ask:
“Do you remember me?”
It was Cris.
Without hesitation, she smiled and replied:
“YES! You have one test left to complete!”
Anyone in education knows that moment. The instant your teacher brain kicks right back in, no matter how much time has passed.
The two caught up, talking about work, life, and where things had taken him since leaving school. During the conversation, Ms. Richardson asked when he would turn 22. Cris told her his birthday was only two weeks away.
Time was running out.
So she asked him one more question:
“Would you be willing to try again?”
This time, something was different.
Cris shared that he was finally in a better place mentally and felt ready. For the first time in a long time, he believed he could actually pass.
Immediately, Ms. Richardson got to work. She contacted Caroline Crane to see if a final testing opportunity could still happen within state guidelines and timelines. Principal Chuck Toler advocated for Cris’ opportunity to test, and with approval from division leadership, the plan moved forward.
Cris committed fully. While continuing to work, he completed remediation and approached the test differently this time. He slowed down. Managed his time carefully. Returned to difficult questions. Trusted himself.
Then came the moment.
Standing in a room surrounded by staff and school leaders, Cris heard the words he had worked toward for years:
He passed.
Not only did he pass, he passed the Reading SOL just one day before his 22nd birthday, officially earning his diploma.
And in true educator fashion, the adults in the room probably celebrated almost as hard as he did.
Because this moment was never just about a test.
It was about persistence.
About relationships.
About a student realizing they were capable all along.
At Phoenix Alternative Education Program, stories like Cris’ reflect the heart of the work happening every day: seeing potential beyond circumstances, meeting students where they are, and continuing to believe in them even during the moments they struggle to believe in themselves.
For every educator and staff member, this story is a reminder:
Your words matter.
Your support matters.
Your belief in a student can become their belief in themselves.
And sometimes, that belief is the difference between giving up… and finishing strong.
