Atkinson, 50, was a 5th grade teacher at Barrett Elementary School in South LA. She died on Dec. 29 after battling COVID-19 for nearly two months, leaving behind a husband and an adult daughter, along with hundreds of students who she taught over the past 16 years.
“She’s just the most caring person. You could tell this wasn’t just a job for her, this was her calling,” her niece, Dionna Henry said.
Henry said her aunt grew up in Compton, and turned down opportunities to teach elsewhere because she was dedicated to helping inner city kids.
“It wasn’t just about teaching the basic subjects. It was more of teaching life skills and walking with confidence in this world. That’s what’s needed,” Henry added.