Sacred Heart School Principal Erin Brinkley (left) was a student in teacher Crystal Cornelison’s class. Cornelison continues to teach at the school, inspiring the next generation of students in her fourth grade class. SALISBURY— Erin Brinkley once donned a plaid jumper, high-cut socks and a pair of penny loafers as a student attending Sacred Heart School in Salisbury – the same school where she now serves as principal.
Over the years, the building relocated, the priests of her youth have long retired, the Sisters of Mercy withdrew, and the uniforms are a little more casual, yet there is one thing that has remained constant – her teacher.
“I don’t know if you know that Miss Cornelison was also my fourth-grade teacher,” Principal Brinkley announced to a room full of wide-eyed, open-mouthed fourth graders in Crystal Cornelison’s 2025-2026 class.
Cornelison is in her 36th consecutive year of teaching at Sacred Heart and claims fourth grade is where she belongs. The children can take care of their own bodily functions and still like their teachers, she said.
As Brinkley recalls, “We were the second class she had. I just remember her being a lot like she is now. She is consistent and she is very smart, and now here we are working together.”
What Brinkley remembers most is doing the North Carolina Project, which has students learning more about their state, something she took a lot of pride in and which Cornelison continues assigning.
Brinkley and Cornelison reminisced, telling the children about when the school had no gym and physical education classes were conducted outside as students battled the elements.
Cornelison added with a laugh that when it rained they had to do morning assembly in the hallway.
“Do you remember what I told you when you became principal?” Cornelison asked Brinkley. “I told you I was really excited that you were principal, but I never dreamed my little fourth-grade Erin would be my boss someday.”
Cornelison also taught Brinkley’s brother, a fact that Brinkley still jokingly blesses her for. Even before she became principal, the two stayed connected through Facebook. To this day,
Cornelison still displays the pinecone ornament Brinkley made her in fourth grade on the Christmas tree that garnishes her classroom.
“She has always been a huge part of Sacred Heart,” Brinkley said. “I’ll never forget her teaching me.”
— Lisa M. Geraci