The first day of school is going to look much different than it did for Donna Hicks seven years ago.

The Oakdale High School alum, Class of 2017, will once again be on campus, except this time not as student but teacher. While Oakdale Joint Unified has become known for hiring former students inspired to become teachers, Hicks is not just returning as an educator, but as an Agriculture teacher which is her passion and, some might say, her gift.

“It’s just a lot of surreal. A lot of surreal,” Hicks said of returning to Oakdale High. “It’s just crazy to be in a classroom that I was taught in.”

But her journey back to the classroom came in a roundabout way. The Mustang shared since childhood she had dreamed of being an Ag teacher, more specifically an OHS Ag teacher … eventually. In 2017 however, post-graduation she was off at Modesto Junior College pursuing a career in nursing.

“For a long time, it was teacher, teacher, teacher. In high school when I was in the Ag Department, I thought this is my thing. I’m going to be an Ag teacher,” she shared, adding that the idea of leaving the valley to attend college after graduating high school just wasn’t what she wanted at the time. So, she opted for nursing.

In early 2020, she found herself at Chico State in pursuit of completing a nursing degree and beginning a career. Then the pandemic hit and for Hicks it all changed.

“I had to go somewhere to get my degree,” she said of choosing Chico State, sharing she has family in the area and was familiar with Chico.

However, the shutdown of the pandemic and the distance learning of the nursing program found Hicks re-evaluating a bit.

A meeting with the head of the Ag Education Department quickly put Hicks right where she belonged; back in Ag. Switching her major added a bit of time to her education, yet in June of 2022 she graduated from Chico State.

Her 2022-2023 year was spent completing her teaching credential and student teaching in Chico.

Unsure of where things would lead next, Hicks shared she received a text alerting her of an Ag opening at OHS.

“That was always my dream,” she said of pursuing the position, noting that while it was exciting, it was also a bit nerve wracking.

“The people who trained me to interview were now interviewing me for a career job,” she said of her OJUSD interview for the teaching position.  “So, it felt very full circle coming back to the school where I learned how to public speak, I learned how to sit down and do my resumé and my cover letter.”

Familiarity did lessen her nerves slightly.

“But I also had a sense of comfort knowing that they already knew my background, so it took that pressure off. It was a wild experience,” she continued.

Hicks spent all four years of her academic career at OHS as an accomplished FFA member, as well as officer. Many of her accomplishments she credits to Oakdale FFA and her mentors while a student.

One of many full circle moments came for Hicks when she learned she not only had secured the job, but was needed to attend the end of year FFA Officer Retreat in Lake Tahoe.

“So, my last week of student teaching, was actually my first week with Oakdale,” she explained. “It’s just so surreal. There were so many things I could connect with them about. My last officer retreat (as a student) was in Tahoe with all my friends. It’s just so crazy to come back and the first Officer Retreat I’m going to as a teacher is in Tahoe.”

From there, Hicks became a fixture at the Oakdale School Farm, a new addition to the program since she left OHS, yet one she’s watched unfold from the ground up, as her home is close by. Her mission, helping her future students prepare for fair.

“It was really cool working with Isaac as a teammate,” she said of fellow teacher Isaac Robles. “I was worried about making that shift and how I would stand out not as a past student but as a co-worker. It was such an easy transition. I felt very valued with what I brought in.”

Hicks further shared as a longtime showman of pigs, she had no doubt she would be able to support the 34 students showing pigs, however she wanted to prove to be an asset to the overall team as a leader.

“They did well. I was really proud of them,” she said of the students. “A lot of them were first year showmen. Just being able to pump them up and support them was so fun.”

Hicks shared while she was confident in her ability to work with the pigs and the students with the pigs, being down one teacher during the time at the Stanislaus County Fair was sure to present challenges. Yet the trio of Ed Hartzel, Robles and Hicks managed to shuffle out the varying areas in a productive manner.

“Coming home from fair I got emotional. I had to take a step back,” she admitted. “This is what I’ve dreamed of for years. Not to toot my own horn, but I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t taken the steps that I have and made the decisions that I have.”

Now the newly named Floral, Horticulture and Ag Chemistry teacher will open her door to her students and share her passion and knowledge with the next generation.

“I loved my time away. I loved Chico. I learned so much, but I always knew my heart was here. I was always going to come back here,” Hicks said.

“This town’s beautiful. The people in this town are great. It’s just such a supportive wonderful area to be in and to start a career in,” she shared, choking back emotion. “It’ just home.”

As for her first year, living her dream and what she hopes to bring to the OHS campus and her students, Hicks was very clear.

“At the end of the day, I want my students to know that I cared for them,” she stated. “The material I’m presenting to these students is important. There are standards that need to be met and assessments that are given. But at the end of the day, I want them to know that I care for them and I see them as a person. I hope that when they’re in my classroom they feel valued.”