20 Years of Faith, Faithfulness & Influence

Twenty years.

That’s a lot of first days, last days, essays, projects, games, field trips, conversations, laughter, tears, notes, hugs, and countless moments that probably seemed small at the time, but became meaningful pieces of a student’s story.

This year, we’re celebrating Allyson Manning and Cynthia White, two teachers who are beginning their 20th year at Cornerstone Prep.

And while a milestone like 20 years is certainly worth celebrating, what makes it even more special is hearing from the students who were once sitting in their classrooms.

Because the impact of a teacher rarely ends when the final bell rings.

“I think that’s the beauty of being a teacher: your impact extends far beyond the short time you have your students in the classroom.” — Emily Dini, Class of 2016

For Mrs. Manning, that impact has often come through words. She has challenged students to become stronger writers and thinkers, but she has also made herself available when they simply needed someone to listen.

Kara (Start) Murray, Class of 2019, says Mrs. Manning is one of the reasons she chose to become a teacher herself.
“It is because of her that I felt so confident taking on writing assignments in college. Today, I want to inspire my 9th graders to have high expectations for their own writing and recognize the power of their own voice in the same way that Mrs. Manning did for me.”

And sometimes, the moments that matter most have nothing to do with a grade.

Victoria Wilson (‘15) remembers a time when Mrs. Manning noticed she was struggling personally and pulled her aside. Instead of simply offering advice, she shared from her own life and helped Victoria realize she wasn’t alone.

“Although she started off as just my teacher, I now have a lifelong friend!”

That kind of connection is exactly what Mrs. Manning hopes her students remember.

“I truly hope students remember that I cared for them.”

For Mrs. White, students remember the same kind of investment, one that went far beyond the classroom.

David Archer(‘24) remembers being an eighth grader who discovered he and Mrs. White shared a love of soccer. One Saturday morning, she and her husband came to watch him play.

“As a young man, that meant the world, and it speaks to the quality of person she is!”

Katrina (Heitz) Williams, Class of 2017, remembers learning real-life financial skills in Mrs. White’s entrepreneurship class, along with starting a pretend city and even opening a bakery that required her to bring cupcakes to school for a month.

But what she remembers most is the joy.

“Mrs. White, you were always such a bright light at school.”

And perhaps one of the most meaningful perspectives comes from Laura-Margaret White (‘16), who had the unique experience of having Mrs. White as both her mom and her teacher.

“I love my mom, and every day I feel like I learn more from her: how to be more patient, understanding, and compassionate. I have looked up to her my entire life, and I just know her students and colleagues do, too.”

After 20 years, both teachers have countless stories. But when asked what God has taught them through their years at Cornerstone, their answers point to something much bigger than a career.

For Mrs. Manning, it is the faithfulness of God.

“There are countless ways God has proven His faithfulness to me since 2006.” From Cornerstone’s earliest days in tiny classrooms to the school it is today, she has watched God provide, grow, and faithfully show up again and again.

She has also learned never to underestimate what God can do in a young person’s life.

“I love when students begin to see all they are capable of and trust in the One who made them.”

For Mrs. White, those 20 years have also been a testimony to God’s faithfulness, from discovering Cornerstone as a homeschooling parent in 2004 to becoming part of the school as a teacher and watching God continue to work in the lives of students, families, and staff.

“I’ve seen God’s faithfulness woven through every part of my Cornerstone journey.”

And perhaps that is what makes this milestone so special.

Twenty years is not simply a number.

It is hundreds of students who were encouraged to believe in themselves. It is young people who were challenged to use their voices, discover their gifts, and trust the God who created them. It is conversations that continue long after graduation, college updates, weddings, babies, notes, and letters saved in special folders at home.

It is a legacy.

And maybe the most beautiful part is that the story is still being written.

Mrs. Manning adds, “God has used the founders and my co-workers along with hundreds and hundreds of students who have helped me work in my purpose with intentionality, and as I grow older, I may not remember every single name, but I do remember the moments, the lessons, and the joy.”

Twenty years of moments. Twenty years of lessons. Twenty years of joy.

And through it all, God has been faithful.

So today, we don’t just celebrate 20 years of teaching. We celebrate 20 years of God’s faithfulness, two women who said yes to His calling, and generations of students whose lives are better because they did.

Allyson and Cynthia, thank you for saying yes again and again, for 20 years and counting. What you have poured into Cornerstone cannot be measured in years, awards, or accomplishments. It is measured in lives.

And we have a feeling God is far from finished with the story.

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Want to hear more? The memories don’t stop here. Read more heartfelt stories and memories from alumni whose lives were impacted by Mrs. Manning and Mrs. White! 

More Memories of Mrs. Manning →
More Memories of Mrs. White →