Today was the first day back for the new school year. Students will come tomorrow. I spent my morning in a series of meetings and the afternoon helping teachers prepare for the first few days of the new year.
At the end of the day I returned to my office, reminded of the stamina it takes to do this job. I decided to tackle a stack of mail before going home. Near the bottom of a pile I found a square envelope with my name written on the front of it. “What’s this?” I wondered.
Tearing open the envelope revealed a red thank you note from a teacher who resigned at the end of last year. I found myself touched by the words and read them over again. It’s the kind of note that will get me through the tough days we all face at some point in the school year. However, this line is one that reminds me of my priorities:
I greatly admire your passion for writing and your commitment to helping others.
It is this that is most important — caring about others. No matter how much I care about the teaching of writing, it should never top my commitment to others. People are always more important than pedagogy. I’m thankful for this reminder. And I’m thankful my colleague took the time to write a note.
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Ruth, that was so kind of your colleague, and a reminder to all of us that our words of appreciation can make someone else’s day.
Love your blog! My colleague Amy and I also have started a teacher blog ‘Blended Voices.” Here is a post about the first-day-of-school jitters…
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I’ve just signed up for a BA Hons Degree course in Creative and Professional Writing at a university in Wales (start 2011) here in the UK. After reading your story today, I promise not to give my future tutors too hard a time and to thank them for their encouragement and enthusiasm whenever the opportunity arises!
Have only just discovered your blog. Will come again and again to read my way through all your useful advice. Thank you so much.
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What a great story to share! It inspires me to be sure to write notes of appreciation more often this school year. I teach fifth grade and I did write all the kindergarten teachers a note last year sharing my admiration for their patience and commitment to our youngest students. I couldn’t do their job!
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