Dear Teachers,
Thanks to Hurricane Irma and a rearranged state testing schedule, during the week our holiday calendar sets aside to celebrate you, you were preoccupied with important testing duties and school responsibilities that held back our festivities. But now, with the end of the year upon us, I wanted to take the opportunity to write something for you because this year’s closing feels a bit more emotional and lately, I can’t stop thinking about what you each mean to our family.
I turn 40 later this year. With it, I have acquired a few gray hairs, thank God some wisdom, more confidence in my skin and countless cherished memories, including ones from years when I too spent my days teaching other people’s children while dreaming of my own. But today, I want to note the important acquisition of over 2,200 handoffs. Six years, three children, twelve teachers and 2,200 mornings of getting them ready and walking them to a door where I hand them off to you and then turn around, trusting that the things that mean most to me in life are safe in your care. I admit, the first few of those handoffs were really more extractions, and I apologize. I guess it only takes a few times of parking a helicopter before noting that a fast-moving car is the more emotionally responsible form of school transport.
I’ve been asked, “What do you do if your child has a bad teacher?” And while I’m sure they’re out there, I’m so grateful to say we’ve never had one. Each of you has gone so far beyond your job requirements to nurture, teach and know my children, I hardly know how to thank you. As a teacher, I fully recognize the time commitment it takes to be the kind of teacher you are. And as a parent, I want you to know that the things you each have done for our children have made a remarkable impact on our family and will never be forgotten. The people our children will be someday–the confidence and belief they’ll have in themselves, the bravery they’ll demonstrate in attempting hard things and the kindness they’ll give to the world around them…I want you to see it someday so that you can feel pride in knowing you helped create that beautiful thing.
I want you to know that I will never forget the night one of you asked if it was okay to stop by and then knocked on my door after her particularly rough day. I want you to know that I held back tears when I opened the door to see you standing there, holding a pint of ice cream and two spoons, and you said, “Where is she?”
I want you to know that in those IEP meetings when sometimes it felt intimidating and overwhelming, when I saw you, I felt like I was home.
I want you to know that so many texts were fired off to my family this year, telling them about the things you are doing, the ways you show you cared, the life lesson you took the time to impart. Each of you are legends in our family’s eyes. My parents and siblings–even the ones in other states–know your names because you are talked about in beautiful ways. What you do matters so much.
Of the 2,200 handoffs I’ve made, I want you to know one that stands out this year. I will never forget dropping off my children the morning after the Parkland shooting. I could see it in a lot of parents’ eyes–we were heartbroken, we were stunned, we were all imagining what those other parents were feeling. I wish I could say these things didn’t cross my mind, but I’ve thought about the layout of the school, the locks on the doors, how long it would take me to get there from home. I want you to know that the only thing that brought any peace to these visions was you. I pictured you hugging my child because I know you would. I imagined your calm voice and your assurring presence. I knew deep in my heart that while your job should not require it, you would stand in harm’s way to make sure my child back got back in my arms that night.
I want to thank each of you for the texts you sent this year–the “I think she’s a little off today” ones or the pictures of him smiling or the “She did it! She did it!” texts because your excitement for her accomplishment was so near my own mom pride, it couldn’t wait for an e-mail at the end of the day.
Thank you for being tough on them–for expecting them to reach their potential, for setting their standards high. That belief in them is nothing short of true love.
Thank you for your creativity. For scrambling to come up with new ways of teaching and assessing when you realized one way wasn’t working. I will remember each of your smiles as you excitedly told me, “I have an idea…” I will hang on to that smile and use it in my parenting–to hold true to the hope that there are so many different ways to stir up the beautiful things that are in my child.
Thank you for extending this creativity and support and belief to all of your students. I’ve seen you do it. I know we are not the only ones. Watching you each talk about your students is like watching a mom–I know you love them. I know you won’t ever give up on them.
I want you to know that I know your job is hard–that summers off are nothing compared to the heart you bring when you’re there. I want you to know that when you’re turning your classroom lights off at 9 pm because you stayed late to plan, or when you cry at home because you’re tired and you can’t keep up, or when later this summer you open those test scores that don’t measure 90% of what your job is, I see you. And I’ve noticed every single effort you’ve taken this year to support and love my child.
Next week, there will be one last handoff. And then you’ll give them back to me for the summer. Your names will be spoken throughout the summer. And someday, years from now, I will watch my children walk across stages, accept jobs, fall in love, go through really hard times and hold true to who they are and what they are capable of…and I will think of you. I will send you a silent little thank you, wherever you are in the world, for being part of this great adventure.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
BEAUTIFUL!
As a teacher, I can’t tell you how much I know this means to your chilfren’s teachers. I can’t stop crying!!!
My children are out on their own adventures but your words are making me tear up. Like you, I taught for a period of time in the Sunshine State but no longer do. Beautfiul words. Well said, Kelle. Well said. Thank you teachers for everything you have shaped my children to be.
As the Mom of a schoolteacher, I know how true your words are. My daughter puts her heart and soul into everything she does for her students. I’ve visited her classroom and watched her in action. She truly loves every one of them. Thank you, Kelle, for speaking from your heart so beautifully.
As always you have said so much. So beautifully. I’m not a teacher but so much of what you have said resonates with what I feel when I entrust my kids to their teachers. As always beautiful
Kelle, this is beautiful. Being a teacher is a special job and having parents like you make it so much better!! Your children’s teachers are lucky to have your children!
Teacher here. Crying. Thank you!
I love this so much.
My own children are 32 and 26, yet I still feel this way about their teachers. Such wonderful people who helped shape my children into who they are today. I hold their teachers in my heart to this day. I can still see the hugs and smiles that were given to my kids during the tough times and good times. What a wonderful tribute to a group of people who don’t get enough thanks for the job they do.
Don’t mind me, tearing up at work reading this. How absolutely beautiful.
I would like to extend a far away thank you to your children’s teachers. I am a second grade teacher in San Francisco, and I have a student who has been shutting down and unable to communicate. A couple weeks ago you posted a chart on your Instagram story that one of Nella’s teachers had made (I feel/I feel____ because/ I can ____). It came at the perfect time! I made one for this student immediately and it has been working ever since. Thank you for helping teachers share great practices through your work!
I’m 32 and still keep in touch with my 4th grade teacher. She was at my wedding. We write letters and send Christmas cards. She doesn’t have any social media, but we keep in touch the old school way. Our favorite way. Handwriting is sometimes painful for her, so she’ll type her letters, but always signs them, Mrs. F. I love her like the family member that she is to me. Thank you for highlighting some of your extended family.
As teacher and a Mama myself…
I made the mistake of thinking this would be a quick read while my grade 6 students are writing their provincial standardized testing. A procedure that makes me feel so limited in what I can offer them during this test that doesn’t measure WHO they are or HOW they learn or WHY they need certain prompts and encouragement.
Thank you, Kelle. For validating what we do and why we love and advocate and try and mess up and do it all over again.
And I forgot to mention that I was a blubbering mess by the end of it!!!!!
Love, love, love!!!
My students just went out the door to play at lunch and now I am crying at my desk. Thank you! This has been a tough day of assessments and you just gave my heart what it needed…the reminder of why I do what I do. I am a mom and a teacher and your letter touched both of us:)
Crying over here…wow, that was beautifully written. You always find a way to capture the feelings so accurately with your words. Thank you.
As a retired teacher, this made me want to go back and do it all over again!
Sweetest ever. What a lovely way to end a year ????????????
PreK teacher and mom of two here. This is beautiful, thank you Kelle.
Teared up reading this. Our teachers build and rebuild our nation. That is how important they are.
Awesome words of encouragement. Thank you for taking the time and more importantly for sharing the journey. You are a true balcony person.
You have such a gift for writing and putting feelings into words. As a mom of three schoolteachers, I know it isn’t always an easy job, but such an important one. I am going to share this with them. This will mean so much to your children’s teachers!
This is so beautiful & PERFECT. I adore my daughter’s first grade teacher. It’s her first year teaching, and on Meet the Teacher Day, I was just SURE these 6 year olds would run all over her.
I was wrong.
She has loved them, nurtured them, taught them to stand on their own. They are confident, grounded little people–and she has so much to do with that. She expects them to succeed, to try, and to care for each other. Her class is a safe space, and the kids know it. I know it.
Ms. Manning is one of the most gifted teachers I’ve ever encountered. She is a treasure, truly, and one of our biggest heroes.
Very thoughtful of you. I hope your children’s teachers appreciate the blessing of having them this year.
THIS is priceless. I love it, and how you share your love with the world. Thank YOU!
I’m not crying!!!!!
This is just beautiful. Teachers do such an amazing and hard job.
This is beautiful and so meaningful, especially in this time of attacks on education and the actual violent attacks on campuses. I’m a Special Education teacher and am just sitting here crying while reading this. Thank you so much for seeing, understanding and acknowledging all that your children’s teachers do!! It is so nice to be acknowledged.
I’m a special education teacher and today was our last day here in Brevard County. It’s been 6 hours since the last bell rang and I’m still a bit teary eyed from goodbyes to my 8th graders that I’m sending on to high school. Your words mean so much to me and the teachers of your sweet kiddos. Thank you so much for your appreciation and kindness!
As a mom and teacher I am bawling. My baby starts high school in September. Change is so hard … so wonderful you cherish your kids’ teachers!
Kelle, thank YOU for this!!! You get it!
Bravo!
THIS! is why i keep coming back to ETST!!! Perfectly said, Kelle!!
And, Thank you to ALL the teachers out there that work so hard and care so much! YOU make a difference!!!
Your post made hot liquid drip from my eyes. My kids have been blessed with so many amazing teachers and this year we end our elementary school time and to say we are ending it with the most fabulous teacher of all is an understatement. I have nominated her for district awards (which she received right away). Her level of care and understanding for all of her kids in the classroom is awe inspiring. I consider her my friend more than anything else after this amazing school year. I feel so lucky.
When I finished reading this I had huge tears in my eyes. So beautifully written. I’m an infants school teaching assistant working 1:1 with a child with autism in class and helping a child with down syndrome in her lunch breaks. I love my job… some days are tough, some days make me smile a lot, some days I wonder if I know what I am doing and some days it all just goes nicely to plan. But what means the most is when parents say thank you, you’re doing an awesome job. We have another seven weeks of school here in the UK before summer holidays and it’s going to be hard to say goodbye… my time with these children is coming to an end as they move onto a new school. But my heart is full… full of happiness that I have helped them in little ways (and hopefully big ways too)… and I’ll be ready to do it all again in September. Wishing you and your lovely family a wonderful summer.
As a retired teacher, and a grandmother, all I can say is Wow!
This is a great post. I appreciate how you are thankful for other people.
So beautiful! As a teacher and a momma, and a sister of a brother with down syndrome, your words are perfection! Thank you! ♡
What a beautiful letter. On the flip side, as a teacher we get nervous at IEP meetings as well. When we see you, the parents, we feel more comfortable as well.