A Gift in my Mailbox

As exciting and humbling and life-changing as the opportunity to serve as Indiana’s 2016 Teacher of the Year has been, a quick run over to my school to drop something off helped me to remember what truly makes my heart sing.  As usual, I ran over in the evening because my days are filled with new and amazing ways to impact education in Indiana, and I don’t often have a minute to drop in while school is in session.  As I organized what needed dropped off and picked up, I gave my mailbox a quick check.

Inside, there was a large envelope and two smaller ones.  The large one contained a commendation for my award as INTOY.  “How wonderful!” I thought.  To be knee deep in my year of service and get a reminder of appreciation and congratulations is so appreciated!  Next, I opened the first small envelope.  In an instant, the certificate from the big envelope was completely forgotten.  In it was a short message, “I hope you remember me from 5^th grade…I am graduating this year and I would love for you to come…You meant so much to me and I will never forget the impact you had on me.”  Mic drop.  Of course I remembered him!  I remember his smile and his perseverance and how lucky I felt to be his teacher. 

In the second small envelope, another note, “You have made such an impact on my education, as well as my sister’s…As I graduate high school, I feel that I do it in honor of you.  You introduced me to the world of reading and writing and creativity.  Just saying that I looked like a clarinet player motivated me to join band which allowed me to grow out of the dense shell that I had kept for years.  It completely changed my life.  Now I have become a leader, a successful student in the top 8% of my class, and cannot go a day without reading…I would be honored to have you as my guest at my high school graduation.” Oh, you sweet, sweet girl. I am the lucky one to have spent time in your presence!

I don’t for one minute take credit for the incredible human beings these former students have become.  But, oh how they have blessed me!  In the noise and busyness of policy meetings, state-wide professional development, and university visits, these two notes mean more to me, go to the very heart of me, more than anything.

Honestly, I am a little tired, my tank is running a little low, and I have been putting my all into finishing strong.  But, today, once again, it is my students that remind me what all of this is about.  I am honored and humbled and blessed beyond measure by the opportunity to spend my days with boys and girls.  I will don a cap and gown and walk with my former students, knowing that the invisible steel cable that is created between teachers and students continues to hold us together.  Thank you, sweet students from 7 years ago, for giving me the chance to stand in the quiet office of my school, with only the emergency lights on, to cry tears of joy for you and for me and for the gift of being a part of the best profession in the world.  Teach! Indiana!!