Klein, Texas— Nearly 53 years after Hildebrandt Intermediate opened its doors, a group of retired educators, administrators, and early staff members returned to their former campus for an emotional and memory-filled visit—many of them stepping inside the building for the first time since the 1970s.
This special visit was organized by former Klein ISD Fine Arts Assistant Director Karri Clark, who reached out to coordinate a tour of the newly renovated Hildebrandt campus. Clark, who meets monthly with a group of retired Klein ISD educators, knew this particular gathering would be meaningful—many in the group had been part of Hildebrandt’s founding faculty or had strong personal ties to the school.
As soon as they arrived, the impact was immediate. Before even stepping inside, the group stood in the parking lot—snapping photos, marveling at the building’s transformation, and sharing laughs about what once stood in its place. The moment they entered the building, memories came flooding back.
“It just brought back so many memories,” said Pat Lane, a retired Hildebrandt teacher who taught at the campus for 29 years and helped open it in 1973. “I would get so excited for the first day of school. I couldn’t wait. To walk back in, I felt like I just belonged.”
Former teachers stood in awe, visibly moved. Some had tears in their eyes as they pointed out where the old commons area used to be or smiled at the sight of the original brickwork that still lines parts of the building. Others recognized the site of the old “gum tree” and delighted in its modern replacement—a vibrant fine arts wing that honors the creativity and expression Hildebrandt has fostered for decades.
In one touching moment, a retired teacher climbed the stairs and instinctively walked to where Room 210 used to be. Though the room no longer carries that number, the space remains, and the current teacher invited her and the group inside.
Moved, the current teacher said, “Now it feels even more special—not only that I get to be in this building, but that I’m in your classroom.”
Throughout the tour, visitors noticed preserved architectural elements and newly designed learning environments, often pausing to share stories of former colleagues and classrooms. They marveled at collaborative spaces with movable walls and garage doors, and they were especially struck by how familiar the building still felt, even with so many enhancements.
“I’m so proud. I’m so happy that we passed our bond issues. This building is gorgeous and it has been made so very useful,” Lane said. “It makes you very, very proud to see it.”
One former teacher who once led desktop publishing courses was particularly moved to see the modern Digital Design, Marketing & Publishing (DDMP) room—where students now work with cutting-edge tools and concepts far beyond what was available in the '80s and '90s.
A former home economics teacher also toured today’s Family & Consumer Science classroom, smiling as students cooked meals and presented recipes using digital tools like Pinterest and video presentations. Though the methods had evolved, the essence of the instruction—and the sense of pride—remained unchanged.
Perhaps the most powerful moments came in conversations with current staff, some of whom are now teaching the children of their former students. Karen Fanaff, who has worked at Hildebrandt for over 30 years, shared that she drives an hour each way just to remain part of the Hildebrandt family.
“I wouldn’t leave,” Fanaff said. “Because of the relationships. I’m teaching kids whose parents I taught. You can’t get this anywhere else.”
Lane, who also raised her own children in Klein ISD, echoed that sentiment.
“The Klein District is very important to me,” she said. “It educated both of my children very well. And now I see that legacy continuing in buildings like this one.”
As Klein ISD prepares to celebrate Hildebrandt Intermediate’s 53rd anniversary this August, the gathering served as a vivid reminder that a school’s strength lies not just in its walls or renovations—but in the people who shaped it. From shared stories in old hallways to wide-eyed wonder in redesigned classrooms, this reunion was more than a tour—it was a return to purpose.
These educators were not simply visitors. They were—and are—the foundation of what Hildebrandt continues to be: a place where students, staff, and stories live on.
© 2026 Klein ISD Chelsea Ceballos
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)