Our teachers helped us become who we are. It is not trite sentiment; it is truth. Both directly and indirectly, they made near constant investments in our young lives. There is nothing that means more to a teacher than knowing her influence remains. No gift, no salary, no award exceeds the value of student gratitude.
Today is August 1:
Today your second grade teacher is feeling jitters and excitement as she plans yet another year.
Today your fourth grade teacher is decorating her classroom (without air conditioning), to make it a welcoming place for precious new faces.
Today your tenth grade teacher is enjoying one of his last late-morning cups of coffee and reading a professional development book to gain inspiration for the fall.
Today your twelfth grade teacher is scrolling through the newsfeed on facebook and feeling proud to see that post about your success.
Today your seventh grade teacher is scrolling through the newsfeed on facebook and wondering if that ornery middle schooler of yours is helping you (finally) understand your parents and teachers.
Today your fifth grade teacher is laughing to herself, coming across a piece of your work in a file drawer and suddenly remembering how hard it was to discipline you when she really felt like cracking up at your ill-timed antics.
Today is the perfect day to thank one of those teachers.
Mail a handwritten thank you note to her campus so it will be there for her on the first day of school. Leave a Starbucks gift card in the school office for him during the first week. Look on Pinterest and find a thoughtful appreciation idea to give to one of YOUR past teachers instead of only to your child’s current teacher. If she is no longer teaching, see if you can find her in the White Pages and surprise her with a letter in her home mailbox.
You know you have been meaning to write it. So just write it! Cry while you do it. Tell her she was like a gift to your heart when you needed her the most. Tell him he believed in you when no one else did. Tell him you are sorry for always being the wiseacre on the back row. Tell her you are a teacher now, and you “get it.” Tell him you remember his words and then write them down for him to see exactly how well you remember them. Tell her you caught yourself using one of her classic expressions the other day. Tell him he was right: you did need to know it after high school. Tell her you are doing just fine, and she doesn’t have to worry about you anymore. Tell him that his influence helped you choose your career. Tell her about that time you saw her serve selflessly when she thought no one was watching. Tell her she is a big part of who you have become.
Then send the letter.
It doesn’t matter if you are 23 or 63, your teacher would still love to hear from you.
Today begins back-to-school month, and somewhere, one of your favorite teachers is facing another year, wondering if she is really making a difference.
Remind her that she is.