For decades, Diane Costantini taught others, high school and junior high students.

Now, she’s a student herself.

Costantini taught at Vidalia Junior High for 11 years and at the high school for 22, subjects ranging from algebra to computer science.

She was in such demand that after she retired, Vidalia High School asked her to come back and teach half-days for two years.

Costantini retired the second time in 2004, and since then, she has become a student in her own right. She started taking oil painting classes at her church, Vidalia First Baptist Church. She also started attending sign language classes and signing worship songs in services. She even took swimming classes for a while and now swims on her own.

She gives her paintings to her children and grandchildren, but she’s modest about her newfound talents.

“I’m not talented. The type I do, anybody can do,” Costantini said. “I just always thought I’d like to do it.”

As she selected a few choice pieces from a stack of her work at her house at 167 Lee Ave., she explained how she and others in the class learn and paint.

“Sometimes you can do one in a month, and sometimes it takes a little longer,” she said.

And although she’s a student now, Costantini said she enjoys seeing her former pupils around town.

“Everywhere you go, you see someone you’ve taught,” she said. “Even in the doctor’s office, the nurses running tests on you are students you’ve had.”

And the students are often glad to see her. Some will tell her they are doing well in college or are grateful for what she gave them.

“One mother left me a note that said her son was working in a job where he used geometry he thought he was never going to use,” she said.