LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A preschool teacher who lost both her legs two years ago was surprised with a teacher of the year award at her school’s graduation ceremony this weekend.
Julie Cross received the Crossroads Academy Teacher of the Year Award as students, parents and teachers gathered for the preschool graduation.
“I couldn’t believe that everyone just came out for me,” Cross said, adding that she had no idea the surprise was planned.
“Completely shocked. We were practicing and just balling with the kids, like thinking about them leaving, but no idea,” she said.
Two years ago, Cross had both her legs amputated. She has lived with autoimmune diabetes for years, going into a coma and septic shock after a near fatal blood sugar spike in 2024. Cross returned to the classroom this year.
“Challenging, but pretty rewarding,” Cross said.
She added, “They look at me and we’re like a family. That’s exactly the feeling that my classroom has.”
Cross’s mother Tammy organized the surprise. Dr. Roman Sibel, the doctor who operated on Julie, presented her with the award. Sibel said, “Normally I don’t get to see this part of it. So it’s pretty inspiring to me to see how you’ve come along.”
He added, “People that are exposed to this are going to know that maybe they can see that you did it, maybe they can do it too.”
Cross said she hopes the children carry a message of acceptance with them.
“These kids, they accept, they accept a whole bunch more people because Miss Julie has robot legs now. So if I can accept Miss Julie, then I can accept everyone. That’s the proud part,” Cross said.
Cross is currently in a wheelchair. The hope is that by next year’s graduation, she will be able to stand and walk on her own.
Tammy Cross said she saw her daughter’s recovery as a blessing.
“I just felt like God put the right people all around me to get her where she needed to be. Then I see the light come back in her eyes, knowing that she does have a future,” Tammy Cross said.
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