Okay, so this isn’t a “mommyhood” confession, but I’ve been trying to get this post written for a week now and no dice. Other things have gotten in my way. That’s cool and all, but it’s time for me to tell y’all that while I suck at some things, I know I don’t suck at teaching.
It’s true.
I don’t suck.
And sometimes, the students I’ve taught come back and tell me I don’t suck. That feels pretty awesome, y’all. Not gonna lie.
A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from our registrar telling me there was a gift for me in her office.
“Ooooh….a GIFT!” I thought, and skipped on down there.
There was a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates and a Starbucks mug and a card. The kind of card I stick in my desk to read on the bad days when I feel like nothing is going right and my students hate me and I’m in the wrong line of work and I should just quit because I suck.
I pull these notes out on those days and I read them.
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Here’s what he had to say:
Dear Mrs. Teacher
Many students throughout their high school careers find one specific teacher who leaves a mark on their early adult life that stays with them throughout their lifetime, and in this case, you were the one to do this to me. You were always a great inspiration, getting me to do things I never would have done, like read, lol. You not only gave me a reason, but also the tools to do so.
You always helped me in my time of need, listening to my problems and helping me when you could. I don’t think I could have managed the stress of high school without your guidance and support.
You’re someone I look up to and idolize, and maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll be able to be as much of an inspiration to someone as you are to me. You are not only an inspiration, but a guardian angel, always watching over me, and I felt comfort knowing you’d help me up if I fell. I cannot thank you enough for all your help and support.
I can only hope that this letter will give you the strength to manage the stress that comes with being a mentor of your quality because there are many students that need your love and dedication and will fall without you to hold them up.
Awesome, right?
It’s good to know you don’t suck.
Oh, now I’m all weepy. You ARE all those things. I’ve never been your student (at least in the school sense of the word), but I do know that you are a guardian angel for me, too. You always know how to encourage me and make me feel worthwhile. I know your students feel the same way. Probably all of them. And this one who knew how to express it–for every one student like this, there are hundreds out there thinking the same thing and not knowing how to tell you or show you. Best. Teacher. EVER.
I love you, Jenn. I’m so thankful I have you for a friend.
Awww. That is the best! Letters like those make me really want to write one for the people who inspired and helped me through stressful and tough times. Knowing that you made such a positive impact on someone must be so comforting. You definitely don’t suck! 🙂
I think you should. It’s NEVER too late to tell people who’ve made a difference in your life that they’ve made a difference and you appreciate them for it.
Totally AWESOME!
Love these letters. Love.
Awww, those letters are the absolute best. You so deserve it.
And so you know? You totally don’t suck at a lot of things. I think you touch more people than you know.
Awww, thanks for that. Really.
That’s so awesome. Is this a current student or one who graduated and came back to tell you this?
He was a student of mine last year. He’ll be graduating in about three weeks.
What an amazing & eloquent letter. Definitely one to keep & reread on the rough days. Awesome!
When he came to see me he said “I wrote it out on notebook paper, then I typed it up to check for mistakes, then I copied it to the card! I drafted it!”
I was so proud!
You are amazing 😉 Don’t ever doubt that for a second.
You’re amazing, too, Kim. Don’t YOU ever doubt that.
So, so awesome.
i LOVE getting things like that…it only happens once in a blue moon, but I have a few students who read my blog and visit and let me know that I was/am important to them.
That makes the whole job worth it. Those few kids.