The Power of Words.

Last year I received two very different letters, one from a parent and one from a student.  One via email and one hand written.  Each letter holds a very special place in a corner of my heart.  Words are so powerful to me and I want to forever remember them.

As I started a new year today, I read each of these letters.  I reminded myself that they are why I teach, not for any evaluation or test score (although I value their importance), but for them.

Wow Mrs. Roseland, I was just thinking of emailing you as a result of a conversation I had with A. this week.  YOU have totally changed her life in so many positive ways--she loves everything about you (we do too!).  Where should I start...first of all, you've turned my NON reading, hate everything about reading and books, I HATE READING daughter into a reader!  In all her years of school and having parents as teachers, YOU have unlocked heart heart to reading!!!  I brag on you ALL THE TIME and I can't even explain how you did it---but YOU did!  I thank you for that because the written word is so close to my heart and now A. values it too!  Sometimes late at night we have to make her go to sleep and put the books away! THANK YOU!

Second, you have encouraged her to be the best young lady she can be by modeling that behavior yourself!  You're REAL, and CARING, and FUN, and EASY TO TALK TO, and a POSITIVE INFLUENCE to my teenage, sometimes unreachable daughter! THANK YOU! 

A. adores you and what you stand for.  As a parent, I am so thankful A. is surrounded by beautiful women such as yourself on a daily basis.  I never worry about A. because I know she is well taken care of at school and that is priceless to me!

THANK YOU Mrs. Roseland- you are one of a kind! 

J. L.

PS- Can you teach at A's high school next year? I'll make you cookies for life!  Thank you!

Dear Mrs. Roseland,

If you weren't my 8th grade teacher I don't think I would have got through all the tough times here at home.  I picked you for my hero paper.  Why?  Because when I talk to you, I feel loved like a parent love.  I haven't felt that kinda love in years, and it feels nice to know someone out there loves me.  I didn't get picket to speak at the breakfast, but I'll still type my hero paper for you to keep.

Mrs. Roseland I know I've only known you for 9 months but those 9 months you made me feel like I was meant for something, like I am not just here for show-n-tell, you made me feel wanted, and I thank you for that.  Without you I probably would have ran away by now, but you keep me going.  You're the one who keeps me going.  You're the one who keeps the smile on my face, you're the one who hleped me when I was down.  That is why you are my hero.  That is why I love you.

Thank you Mrs. Roseland.

G.

There is so much that I could say about each of these students and how very different they are, but I won't.  There is so much that I could say about so many of the students that walk through my door and how much they really teach me, but I won't.  Instead, I will leave you with a quote today that spoke volumes to me today and a quote that was instantly added to the book as soon as I heard it in our meeting, a quote that I will live by;

 

Have you ever had a teacher that has impacted your life in a positive way?