Teacher of My Life
Posted on November 5, 2007
Filed Under kids, parenting, career, education, letter |
This weekend we received a copy of a lovely letter, one written to My Better Half’s 85 year-old grandmother, penned by one of her former students who remembers her, all these years later, as the pivotal figure in her academic career.
Few of us ever take the time to thank the people that have made a difference in our lives. We assume they know their worth when, in fact, a letter like the one I am about to share is the reward all teachers dream of and few receive.
Here’s an excerpt:
Dear Mrs. W,
I am a teacher of visually impaired children and one of my students is learning braille as she suffers a progressive eye condition…Working with her has brought back fond memories of you.
Forty six years ago I was in your second grade class. I struggled with reading and you were not only my favorite teacher but a God Send. Out of the goodness of your heart and because of your genuine concern for my future, you tutored me after school. The way you worked with me did not make me feel like a ‘dumbie,’ but made me feel very special. I thought it was a treat to dust the erasers and wash your chalkboard and I remember you used my silhouette for a spelling bulletin board. You, without a doubt, had the greatest impact on my foundation for literacy and for that I am eternally grateful. I award you Top Teacher of My Life!With Sincere Gratitude,
S.C.
The fact that this woman took the time to write such a moving letter to an old lady makes me weepy with the justice and the beauty of it. I have shared the note with a friend who has just gone back to work as a third grade teacher in the inner city. Her job is exhausting and difficult. She struggles daily, wondering if leaving her own children everyday to help these needy kids is worth the sacrifice. I wish for her a letter like this when she turns 85. Her work is necessary and important. She will be the Top Teacher of Many Lives. Let’s hope that someday one of these kids will take the time to write her a letter of thanks.
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7 Responses to “Teacher of My Life”
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what a beautiful and obviously well deserved letter. it’s so easy to find the time to complain and so much harder to find the time to acknowledge our gratitude.
what a lovely thing to get in the mail.
How cool is that. As the spouse of a teacher who works in a school where 100% of the kids qualify for free lunches, I agree that the ratio of importance to recognition is higher than just about any other job. How cool that someone took the time to write this.
One other thing. One of the biggest boosts to positive emotions turns out to be a letter of gratitude, written and then delivered in person and read. It’s obviously a boost to the recipient but turns out to be almost a bigger positive for the giver. One of the more curious and delightful outcomes of happiness research.
very beautiful.
makes me want to stop ranting and start appreciating.
great reminder.
I took a test exam today for the GRE math section and I got 100% on the geometry. I tried to see if the teacher was still at the high school I went to (Braintree HS) but she wasn’t. I would have sent her an email letting her know that 22 years later the teaching she provided stuck in my brain like glue.
Arwen, I grew up near Braintree, in a little town called Norfolk. Small world.
Good for you for trying to find your geometry teacher. You could google her. Who knows, maybe she has a blog!
I still remember my 9th grade grammar teacher. Thanks to her, I tested out of every grammar class from then on through college (with an English degree) and into a career in editing.
Other old pupils used to write her letters, many many letters, which she used to read aloud to us during class. I could never bring myself to write her, knowing the misery I would be inflicting on the new crop of students.
edj, that’s pretty funny that she used to read them to you all. I guess some people need an audience. Sounds like she didn’t need you adoration. Though I think a teacher that receives copious praise is a rare one.