Bold truth: a Montgomery relic proves that long-term commitment to a single school can shape generations. And this is the story of a teacher who grew up in Resurrection Catholic School and chose to give back, turning a three-decade classroom career into a lasting legacy.
Montgomery, Alabama — Vonzetta Graham never imagined that walking through Resurrection Catholic School doors in 1965 as one of the first students would eventually bring her back three decades later as a teacher. Now, after 30 years in the classrooms, she continues to influence the very place where her journey began. “We were the first students in the building back in 1965,” Graham recalled. “There’s a lot of history here.”
Graham, who now teaches third and fourth grade, has taught every grade level over the years and currently guides children who are themselves the offspring of former students.
“Fourth grade is my favorite,” she says, “and math is my favorite subject. Fourth graders have moved past early elementary years, yet they still crave the warmth and hugs, while simultaneously growing into their own people. I love math, I love solving problems.”
Beyond academics, Graham cherishes Resurrection Catholic School for its unique blend of faith and learning. “It’s special because we can speak about Christ openly, without hesitation, and it gives students a personal reference point in life,” she explained. “We’ve lost many African American Catholic schools in Alabama, so it matters that Resurrection Catholic School remains in small Montgomery.”
Graham believes the school’s vitality stems from strong community and church backing. Today, Resurrection Catholic School serves roughly 100 students.
Fr. Manuel, she notes, envisioned a unifying role for the school and remains the ‘glue’ keeping everything connected. “If it weren’t for the church, we wouldn’t still be here. Many of our church members volunteer and, having attended Catholic schools themselves, want their children and grandchildren to share that same closeness and those enduring values.”
This piece is a reminder of how a community and a shared faith can preserve a school’s mission through time, even as others close their doors.
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