Willie Ma Johnson flips through the notebooks she bought for her class Thursday at McLaurin Elementary. “I just love it when the children get that light bulb moment that clicks on and their face changes and that expression comes. I’ve had all those moments. Makes you feel good; makes you want to hang on a bit longer,” Johnson said. “The administration also kept me on here. They are very supportive. They’re young. They have that energy.” (Nicole Hester, The Natchez Democrat)

Shannon Jex holds her daughter’s school supplies as Madeline Jex, 5, piles on more supplies Thursday at Cathedral Elementary School. (Nicole Hester, The Natchez Democrat)

Khloe Bassett, 5, and Kishara Wiley walk to meet Bassett’s first-grade teacher Thursday at Cathedral School. (Nicole Hester, The Natchez Democrat)

Vivian Jones, 5, talks with her new kindergarten teacher, Kelly Baroni, while dropping off school supplies, Thursday at Cathedral School. Classes begin Aug. 6 at Cathedral School. (Nicole Hester, The Natchez Democrat)

Willie Mae Johnson pulls out the book bins she and her daughters bought for her classroom of second-grade students Thursday at McLaurin Elementary. “We don’t want the students slowing down because they don’t have something,” Johnson said. (Nicole Hester, The Natchez Democrat)

Carolyn Turner finishes stapling on the letters for a welcome sign outside her classroom Thursday at McLaurin Elementary. (Nicole Hester, The Natchez Democrat)

Carolyn Turner decorates her bulletin board for her second-grade class at McLaurin Elementary School. (File photo | The Natchez Democrat)