Thelma Thomason, at 80 years old and 53 years into teaching kindergarten, remains one of the most popular teachers at Vandergiff Elementary School in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

As a way to honor his [Austin Allen] kindergarten teacher, the Razorbacks star made a surprise visit to Thomason’s classroom on her 80th birthday, bringing back warm memories from 15 years ago.

She taught me everything, really,” Allen says. “She laid the groundwork and made learning fun.”

Read the full article by Tim Newcomb about his kindergarten teacher from The 74