If you ask Shawn Hill what first grade is like, he keeps it simple:

“It’s good.”

But press him a little, and you’ll realize that this is a kid who loves learning, loves being outdoors, and—most importantly—loves math.

“I like math,” he said confidently

.

And not just a little—he really likes math.

Math, he learned, is a universal language, spoken by more people than even Mandarin or English. When someone pointed that out to him, he thought it was pretty cool.

Shawn’s love for numbers and problem-solving is just one of the many things that make him stand out, but if you ask him what’s most important to him, he won’t talk about school.

He’ll talk about his family.

Shawn loves the outdoors—and even more than that, he loves fishing with his grandpa.

Most kids might not remember their first catch, but Shawn does. He doesn’t recall exactly what kind of fish it was, but he knows it was real, and it was his.

When asked if he’d ever want to fish in the ocean, though, his answer was clear:

“No.”

Lakes are just fine for him, thank you very much.

And when he’s not casting a line, Shawn spends his time running, playing soccer, and keeping up with his younger brother, Ty.

“He’s four,” Shawn said. “He’s annoying.”

Which, of course, is the most first-grade way to describe a younger sibling.

There are a lot of things that make Shawn proud, but one of the first things he mentions is his mom.

“She does the laundry,” he said. “And she likes to sweep a lot.”

His dad? He does all the dishes.

But when it comes to making the best pancakes, there’s no contest.

“My dad,” Shawn said immediately.

And what does he put on them?

Peanut butter.

It’s a family tradition, and he’s not about to switch to syrup anytime soon.

There’s no denying that Shawn adores his Aunt Rachel—even if he’s not quite ready to admit that she’s, in fact, the coolest.

But the feeling is mutual.

Rachel has watched Shawn grow, learn, and develop his own personality, and she sees in him the same values that make Vandalia special—hard work, curiosity, and a love for family.

And if there’s one thing she hopes he always remembers, it’s this:

Time with the people you love is everything.

It’s a lesson she’s learned over the years, and one she hopes Shawn will carry with him as he grows.

“If I could tell my younger self anything,” she reflected, “it would be to spend more time with the people you love. Because you never know when you won’t be able to again.”

For Shawn, those moments are happening right now—in his classroom, on the lake with Gramps, at breakfast with his dad’s peanut butter pancakes, and in every after-school visit with his aunt.

And one day, when he looks back, he’ll realize that it wasn’t just about the math problems or the soccer games.

It was about the people who loved him along the way.

Rachel and Shawn may have different roles in life—teacher and student, aunt and nephew—but their connection is one built on laughter, learning, and love.

Rachel teaches her students to embrace curiosity, to work hard, and to always find joy in learning.

Shawn, in his own way, is doing just that—finding joy in numbers, in the outdoors, and in the family traditions that make him who he is.

And at the end of the day, whether they’re in the classroom or at a family dinner, one thing is certain:

Rachel may be the teacher, but Shawn is teaching everyone around him what really matters.