NAVARRE — Sharon Aydelott’s classroom looks the same as it did when she left for Christmas break. Her bulletin boards feature brightly-colored papers, inspirational quotes adorn walls and student projects from last semester hang from the ceiling.
“There’s something comforting when you’re in her classroom,” fellow Holley-Navarre Middle School teacher Ashley Kesterson said Friday on teachers’ first day back from Christmas break. “It feels good.”
Although her personality still shines in the room, Aydelott never again will check roll, write on the board or laugh at a joke.
The 48-year-old seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher and Gulf Breeze High School cross country coach was found stabbed and bludgeoned to death in her home in Gulf Breeze on Christmas Eve.
Her son, 17-year-old Brandon Aydelott, was arrested a few hours later and charged with her death. The senior at Gulf Breeze High confessed to the killing, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. He faces second-degree murder, which carries a life sentence.
Sharon Aydelott was laid to rest Friday afternoon in Pensacola.
A crisis counselor will be in her classroom Monday morning when students return to school.
Another teacher will be at her desk.
“Everything’s been very positive,” said Holley-Navarre Principal Joie DeStefano. “We’ve all dreaded this day coming, but together we can do anything.”
The school has raised nearly $5,000, which will go to memorial flowers and a scholarship in Aydelott’s name.
“This area really has taken care of us,” DeStefano said. “We’ve had multiple people call and ask how they can help, what they can do.”
The school has plans for a memorial bench in honor of Aydelott, who also had an elementary-aged daughter.
For the next few weeks the school will try and get back to normal. Counselors will on call for any students or staff.
“Sharon had this special connection with students that goes beyond the classroom,” Holley-Navarre science teacher Kathy Clark said. “There was something about her that they really connected with. You could tell she wanted the best for them. She left a big void to fill.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.
