Tales of a 5th Grade Teacher

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. My students have been bringing in goodies all week. This is a tradition and something that is done very well at our school by the parents. But I was caught by surprise and overwhelmed with emotion just yesterday when I noticed a letter in my school mailbox that was sent from a former student who will be graduating next month from high school.

I have not seen or heard from this student since June, 2002. It caught me by surprise, first of all, that this student would write because of how long it had been. We got along fine as teacher and student but did not develop a very strong connection at the time, in my opinion. But I can tell you, without a doubt, that the way I felt when I read Cliff's letter has made me feel more appreciated now, as a teacher, than I have ever felt at any time.

My first year of teaching was in 2001-2002, and what a start I got off to. No sooner did my first few days of teaching commence than the nightmare of 9/11 went down in back East. It is said that you never forget your first class. And I can testify that that's true, but in an even more powerful way for me because of 9/11. It doesn't seem that long ago that I had those students, but after reading Cliff's letter, I realize that enough time has passed now that the students in my first class are now just a few weeks shy of graduation.

Sometimes I don't feel like the most accomplished teacher. This year has been particularly tough to keep everything together. I'm in my second full year of school and wrapping up my Master's of Science in Educational Leadership. Kari is pregnant with baby #3. I feel like I'm just barely making it most days.

And to be honest, I'm pretty sure I was in survival mode that first year. I believe I developed ADHD that year trying to stay focused on everything put in front of me.

I was just so touched and uplifted and flattered and comforted by this letter. It means the world to me that someone thinks I made a difference doing what I do. This letter says to me that I am appreciated and that's something no one can take away from me, and it's worth more than any amount of money I could ever receive. I will treasure this letter always and hopefully, sometime during the next four years, I will be able to sneak down to U.C.L.A. to catch a CAL game, perhaps, with Cliff sometime, and take him up on his offer.

Congratulations on your bright future, Cliff, and thank you for remembering me. I certainly remember you.