Imagine a teacher having such an impact on your life that you choose to start your day by saying hello to her — even after you’ve moved on from her classroom.

That’s what so many of Julie Hammill’s former kindergarten students do at Genet Elementary School in East Greenbush.

Hammill is in her 24th year teaching kindergarten there, and 30th year overall in the East Greenbush Central School District.

School has come full circle in a way. One of Hammill’s kindergarten students this year is the child of a fourth-grade student she had more than 20 years ago.

Hear what Hammill says she loves about the job by watching the video of Chris Onorato’s story.