My wife was cleaning out a cabinet and stuck my old school stuff in a drawer. I then got thinking I might as well clean it up a bit. And then I saw it. The little cubicle flower box and remembered what was inside it. I opened it up and there inside was all these letters from students that I had kept over my 7 years of teaching. Some were reports on how I could improve on my teaching. Some heart felt messages of sincere gratitude. One was even a letter from my mum speaking about how my brother and I had helped her when she was going through a hard time and how she could see my stress too.(don't know how that got in there) Some photos of ex pupils.
In all of it it made me realise what an impact we each have on each other for good or for bad. Upon reading most of them it gave me a sense of achievement in that I have made a difference for others. It also made me want to get up and find where these kids are now, especially one who talked about her being a dreamer and that she could not stop thinking about other stuff and wanting to do things differently. All I want to do is talk to her and say I am sorry if I did not allow you to be the dreamer you want to be and to say sort of the same thing that one kid wrote " Don't let anyone tell you you are not a good teacher becasue you are"
Sounds stupid I know but it was a very special time rereading the long lost letters. Thank you students. I will keep them for a very long time and not just in the little box. Maybe if you give me permission I can share some of them on my blog. what do you think? Is that a breach of privacy as long as I don't put names?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)