An Iowa Teacher’s Retirement Gift: Handmade Quilts for Each Student
May 30, 2026
As she concludes her 35-year teaching journey, an Iowa educator is offering her students a meaningful keepsake: personalized quilts crafted with care and individualized touches.
Kim Rohlf / Credit: KCCI News
Kim Rohlf, a dedicated second-grade teacher from Westwood Elementary School located in Ankeny, Iowa, spent significant time designing and sewing custom quilts for each pupil in her classroom. These heartfelt tokens were revealed just before her teaching career came to an end, leaving each child with a tangible memory of their shared experiences.
According to Rohlf, this endeavor fused two of her lifelong passions.
“I love teaching and I love quilting, so it gives a little to share my love with them as they leave and I end my chapter of teaching,” she noted.
Each quilt was a unique reflection of the student it was made for. Some incorporated motifs tied to special occasions, such as holidays and birthdays, while others mirrored personal interests like dinosaurs or favorite sports. Rohlf meticulously crafted each quilt with the individual student in mind.
One of her students, Gabrielle from the second grade, appreciated the personalized effort.
“Every quilt is made based on our personalities,” Gabrielle explained. “She would add special details about us and she would make sure that it is very nice.”
Beyond the quilts, Rohlf also penned individualized notes to each child, enriching the farewell gesture with further sentiment.
As the end of her teaching era neared, Rohlf discovered that saying goodbye was more challenging than anticipated.
“It’s very heartwarming, it makes this harder than I thought it was going to be, but I’m excited to start that new chapter in my life,” Rohlf shared. “I thought it could just be at the end of the year and walk out the door. They’re making it a little bit harder than that.”
After a lengthy career of enriching young minds, Rohlf’s educational impact will surely endure. For her students, the lasting warmth of her compassion has been carefully woven into a gift that will serve as a cherished reminder beyond their time in second grade.
