More than 50 years ago as a student Denny Christian was sent to the principal’s office at James J. Hill Elementary.

He was to appear before Shirley Kaiser, the first Black elementary school principal in St. Paul. But he learned that she wasn’t there to make the school year difficult for students. Kaiser cared about her students, Christian said.

“And if I got in trouble again, I went to her office, and I knew that I was going to get my consequence, but I knew she was going to still believe in me,” Christian said.

Kaiser was someone who left students with that feeling in her decades spent as an educator, and she continues to stay involved in the community.

Staying busy after retirement

Since retiring from St. Paul Public Schools in 2001, Kaiser has worked as a substitute teacher and is a part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter for The Links, Incorporated, a volunteer organization focused on serving Black Americans. She’s also involved with her college sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Phi Omega chapter and spends time tutoring in St. Paul Public Schools’ homeless program or working on restorative justice.

Around three years ago, Christian attended a barbecue at his friend Scott Kyles’ home to celebrate a family accomplishment, and Kaiser was there. After more than 50 years, she was still in the community and supporting others like she did all those years ago when Christian was a child, he said.

At that point, Christian had started posting regularly about his sobriety on Facebook. Every time he does, he looks for comments from Kaiser sharing her encouragement.

At that barbecue, she was able to tell him face-to-face that she was proud.

“To me, it solidified that I was wrong about her years ago, when I thought she was just a principal, and she’s there to make my days and my school year miserable, because she’s still supporting people and telling people good job, and they can do it and you can go further,” Christian said.

Planted a seed

The barbecue planted a seed — Christian and Kyles wanted to give their thanks to Kaiser.

“And we just wanted to show her our appreciation, how much we love her and that we love she’s still a part of us,” Kyles said.

It took some time, but the two former students and others began weekly video calls several months ago, planning what they would do.

That planning led to Thursday night, when the gym of J.J. Hill Montessori at 998 Selby Avenue in St. Paul filled with guests, there to surprise the longtime St. Paul educator and community volunteer.

Among them were current J.J. Hill principal Lizzy Diemer, SPPS school board members and interim superintendent John Thein, city officials, Kaiser family members and former students, Kyles and Christian as well as members of the R&B group Mint Condition.

Shirley Kaiser Day

Minnesota Education Commissioner Willie Jett and Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Moran were among those to declare Thursday as Shirley Kaiser Day in Minnesota, Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul.

Described as a trailblazer, a woman in leadership when there were few and someone who advocated for other people of color going into the education field, Kaiser sat with her family at the same school — though a different building — where many students first met her 55 years ago.

“It was just a very special treat. I was just surprised and happy the whole time,” Kaiser said. “Someone said I was smiling all the time. It was wonderful to see so many old friends and students and family.”

Kaiser taught others that the true power of education lies not just in learning, but in the connections made and the lives touched, Kyles said at the event.

“You carried the hopes of your students like precious cargo and traveled many paths to dreams come true,” said former student Lisa Lissimore in a letter to Kaiser. “Without your encouragement and support, we could not have ever realized our dreams.”