It was a typical school day, and my planning period and first break of the day had finally arrived. I went to my mailbox in the teachers' workroom to clean out all mail and other school stuff. On top was an envelop addressed to me. It caught my attention because it looked like the handwriting of a child. I opened it to find a three page letter written by a former student. In the letter, she thanked me for caring about her and being such a great teacher. She told me that her current teacher had required her to write a letter to the teacher that had the most impact in her life (it was Teacher Appreciation Week).
To give you a little background, this student moved to my town from the place where she grew up, where her entire family lived, and where all of her friends were. On the first day of school, I introduced myself to my very first group of fifth graders. I could see the fear in this child's eyes. She was the new kid and had just left everything she knew behind. She looked extremely unhappy most days but never complained or gave me any problems. She did what I asked her to do but did not seem to enjoy it. I remember trying to connect with her about my feelings of being a first year teacher to her feeling about being a new student. I remember thinking she was such a sweet girl but can't recall any special attention that I gave to her.
After reading her letter, it changed the way I viewed my career. I realized that I could not change her circumstances and send her back to the place she called home, but what I did was gave 100% to making her fifth grade experience a positive one. It was such an amazing feeling to read her letter that day. As the tears fell down my face, I realized that I had such an impact in her life that she took the time six years later to write me to say thank you. I also noticed that the return address was from a school in her hometown (she moved back). I wrote her back to let her know how much I appreciated her letter. Not only did I make an impact in her life, but she made one in mine as well. In your day to day routine, you can not change a child's circumstance, but you can make a difference!!
That is so true! I know how you felt when you got that letter. I remember being invited by a student I had in my first year of being a Head start teacher to thier high school graduation and he was the speaker for his graduation class and graduated with honors. He told me that because I was his first teacher and gave him the inspiration to learn is why he is where is today. I cried also and it empowered me to continue what I am doing now and to realize that you may not be able to help every child but you never know what you have done for at least one. My motto is to teach one child and one family at a time.
ReplyDeleteTabitha,
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring story. You will always have children that will remember you when you worked so hard to make a difference in their lives. Your story really touch me. I often see children in the community that I taught in pre-school, and they will always speak and ask me how I'm doing. Early Childhood Education is a wonderful field, and I try hard to make their learning experience full of joy and fun.
Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to look at things, sometimes we try so hard to change the situation, when that isn't an option. How wonderful to get a letter back from this student. It makes you feel like everything you are doing and fighting for is worth it.
Thank You for sharing a wonderful story. I want to be a teacher that makes a difference in a little one's life
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