St. Louis first graders celebrate teacher who beat cancer

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(BATESVILLE, Ind.) -- A local first grade class is celebrating their beloved teacher who is now cancer free.

St. Louis teacher Andi McKee has taught first grade for the past 11 years.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer this past summer and her first treatment took place during the second week of school.

The second round of chemotherapy claimed her hair and that's when the kids began asking questions.

"The Holy Spirit wouldn't leave me alone and I knew I had to include the kids on this journey," McKee told The 812.

Ms. McKee would share photos and stories from her treatments at a level that first graders could understand.

The students cheered her on while participating in homework assignments, such as 'What color will Ms. McKee's hair be when it grows back.'

McKee completed her treatments and rang the Cancer Survivor's Bell in December.

Her students and school wanted to celebrate and the first graders were put in charge of planning the party.

There were four committees formed: The Invitation Committee, Activities Committee, Decorations Committee, and Food Committee.

"They all sat together at lunch and planned the party like they were adults," McKee laughed. "They knew how many slices of pizza they needed and it was just really fun to watch."

The party took place on Friday and McKee gave each student a t-shirt that read "My Teacher Beat Cancer."