Photo by Courtesy Photo

After receiving his classroom key, Mr. Leland Mallett poses for a photo. Mr. Mallett began teaching at Legacy in 2007, the first year it opened.

With boxes of memories in hand, he walks out the same doors he entered 18 years ago. The door that opened up to his second home. A door leading to years of creativity, growth, knowledge and a sense of family. After 18 years of serving as the Student Media Adviser, Mr. Leland Mallett resigned and took on a new position at Walsworth Yearbooks. 

“I was one of the first people they hired to work at Legacy,” Mr. Mallett said. “That was the hard part [of leaving], the relationships and knowing the people.”

Four years ago, Walsworth Yearbooks offered Mr. Mallett a position, however he declined, as he wanted to stay in his role until his children graduated. As his youngest daughter finished up her senior year, Mr. Mallett reconsidered the opportunity at Walsworth. After many conversations and negotiations, he accepted the position of an Education Specialist.  

“It happened so fast because it was the middle of May, when they first started talking to me,” Mr. Mallett said. “Usually you have time to think about it, plan and talk with people. I didn’t really like the timing of it, but it was too good to pass up.”

After finalizing his role with Walsworth, he talked with Dr. Stephanie Bonneau, principal, and broke the news. Despite being a difficult conversation, he felt relieved knowing that Dr. Bonneau supported him. He later sent an email to the Legacy staff, informing them of his decision before transitioning out of the classroom.

“For one, I was very happy for him. It’s an opportunity that he deserves and will be amazing at,” Dr. Bonneau said. “A part of me was heartbroken and wanted to say ‘why couldn’t you stay a little bit longer, like a year or two?’ But we were fortunate because Mr. Mallett was so good about getting us information as early as he could, so we were able to hire somebody that was different but great.” 

As journalism adviser, Mr. Mallett worked closely with his students to produce content. He traveled with students to national and local conferences, giving them opportunities to grow and expand their knowledge and skills. 

“He has a knack for developing kinds of kids and bringing the talent out,” Dr. Bonneau said. “You have all kinds of students in journalism that found their niche in whatever they were good at, and he was good at teaching them on different scales.” 

Ms. Rachel Dearinger worked with Mr. Mallett as assistant adviser since she came to Legacy, 16 years ago. In addition to their time at Legacy, they maintained a close relationship through family connections. She believes he encouraged students to develop their creative talents. 

“He created a strong program,” Ms. Dearinger said. “But I think [the most important thing is] just the way he cared for kids. It wasn’t all rooted in journalism. He cared for [them]. He wanted to create good things, but in the end it wasn’t about that.”

In June, Mr. Mallett sent out an email to his students regarding his new position, and his transition out of his previous role as adviser. The positive responses uplifted him and encouraged his decision. 

“Everybody was absolutely supportive,” Mr. Mallett said. “Of course I’ve been here so long and doing something very public that everybody sees and a product that everybody knows and respects. It was just kind of a shock for them at first, but they all understood.”

His role as an Education Specialist allows him to assist journalism advisers in producing and managing content. He resides in the Mansfield area but travels to work with schools throughout Texas.

“I’m still teaching. I’m still in classrooms, which is good, because I miss the kids,” Mr. Mallett said. “They’re not my kids anymore, that’s the tough part. But it’s still different enough to be good.”

Despite not being in the classroom anymore, Mr. Mallett visits his students whenever he gets the chance. The journalism program felt like a family to him as he committed extensive time to the program and students. 

“Seeing the kids is like being a grandparent,” Mr. Mallett said. “I still get to love all my kids. I get to be the cool guy and bring in treats.”