Number Twelve teaches me to be aware

I got a letter one year a few years ago from a child in a class I will forever remember as being one of the kindest groups of children I’ve ever taught. Twelve was one of the kindest children I had that year. She was thoughtful, funny, self-effacing, clever, intelligent, and such a joy to be around. Honestly you could describe the majority of the class that way. They were nice to each other and it grew from there. They hugged and high fived and fist bumped every achievement and made each other feel so important. The end result being that I was a better teacher and a better person because all of my energy went into making the classes better and more in depth and adding things to challenge them.

That, in and of itself, is an amazing lesson for a child to teach their teacher. Then one day towards the end of the year I got this letter on my desk…

“When I first had you for humanities last year I was a little nervous because I didn’t really have much experience with history. I thought I was going to fail that class, but you really helped me grasp the subject. In the span of two years not only have you helped me grow as a student but as a person. For example, when I was struggling with annotating and understanding higher level texts, you took the time to make sure I was able to learn at my own speed, now I can tackle any text that is placed in front of me.

A year ago I didn’t think I’d be comfortable trusting a teacher, but your actions changed my mind. For example, every time I’m upset and say I’m fine, you know I’m lying and always remind me it’s okay to have feelings, or that one time you noticed I wasn’t okay and you wrote me a letter. You even took time out of your day to bring me all the way to my car after I threw up, just to make sure nothing happened. I could go on and on about everything you’ve done for me, because it’s the little things that count. Not only have you taught me during history class, but also during homeroom. You’ve taught me to be organized, to stay calm in messy situations, to respect the rest of our class, etc. We have established a loving relationship with a lot of trust and respect. There have been moments where your other students and I have thrown you a surprise party, or when A. and I know you so well that we bring you your favorite chips because we know you have a lot on your plate. Even when I take your phone and start filling it up with pictures of every single person in our class, you’re never against it.

If it were my choice I’d have you for many more years. You are one of the few teachers I know that have shown their words through actions. A teacher that makes sure I actually learn something, a teacher that puts their students first, that is like a second mother. Every day you teach me something new but not just in humanities, you teach us about life and that’s something else that amazes me because you are a teacher in a hard time and hard place to be teaching but you don’t only focus on our academics you also teach us about character. These past two years being your student has taught me many things, but most importantly it taught me that we are the next generation, but we can’t make the future better without role models like you, from our past generation.”

Sure, it feels good to have someone tell you that. But the real gem here is the lesson I took away from it. Probably obvious, but it’s how the little things mean a lot and even when you don’t know you are having an impact or even if you think you’re not, you likely are. Thank you so very very much Twelve. I’m absolutely a better person because I met you and was your teacher.