HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (KTHV) - A day after a Hot Springs teacher dies in a fire, her students find a way to keep her memory alive. Authorities are still investigating how the fire started, while her co-workers and students cope with the loss.
"She touched a lot of people and her longevity in this district, it makes it difficult," said George Wilson, Principal of Hot Springs Middle School.
Previous story: Hot Springs teacher found dead in mobile home fire
She spent 30 years of service in Hot Springs School District. Co-workers are likely to remember as a great at administrator and a teacher. Wilson said he will remember her as a friend.
"No nonsense," Wilson said. "She had her standards for her classroom. She tried to model her professionalism and she had high expectations of her students."
After news of her death spread, retired teacher Roy Coulter came back to the classroom to fill in for her.
"Walking down the hallway I realized that I'm going to have a bunch of kids that are going to be fragile and not know what to do- how to process this," Coulter said.
So he asked the 7th graders to write down what they remember about Debbie Rushing.
"I really wish you were here," wrote one student. "Sorry for the wrong I've done. I hope you are in a better place."
Wilson is happy for Coulter's part in helping the students get through the tough time.
"This is not to rehash or make you feel bad or to make you grieve anymore about Mrs. Rushing," Wilson said. "Just think of what this journal will do when her daughter gets it and reads it. What will it do for her."
Wilson plans to present the journal to Rushing's daughter when she gets back into town.
