Ten kinds of awesome right there

[greatbear]

I think we've all see the bumper sticker that reads, "If You Can Read This, Thank A Teacher." How, exactly, does one thank their teacher? Throughout my schoolin' years, I had a handful of really good teachers, a couple of truly bad ones, and the rest were fair-to-middlin'. I did make sure to thank the ones that that did good by me, and especially those that had the most positive, lasting impacts. But I really wish I could do something like what you are about to read, because, well, this will not only bring a beaming smile to teachers everywhere, but will restore some of the faith in the goodness that people are capable of.

My LJ buddy jesus_h_biscuit writes about his third-grade teacher and her lasting impact on his life. Through the magic of the internet, he reconnects with her via Facebook. This becomes his perfect opportunity to thank her not only for that 3rd-grade year, but also for the thirty subsequent years since. It so happens there is a current movie that ties it all together so perfectly. I guarantee this will be the best thing you'll read all month. Or more.

There are four parts to his story. The following links will open in their own separate windows.

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

I don't know about you guys, but this should be it's own national story.

Now, go and thank your teacher. If you are a teacher yourself (and I know there are a few reading this), remember this story when you might feel that you might not be making a difference. You most definitely are.

Comments

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

wonderful story - I've contacted a few of my teachers, my crazy Chemistry teacher and yes the German teacher who taught me that I fancied bearded nice men :-D

Funny thing reading his memories of reading Charlotte's Web, I've been reading about Roald Dahl and it seems quite a few teachers and educators thought Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlotte's Web weren't good books and bad for children unlike the 'classics'

Total bullshit of course, they used to say that about Enid Blyton and people like this and me prove that with their love of books.

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

Principally the likes of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Cameron - who?

Exactly.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I read Charlotte's Web in elementary school. I remember it well, and I loved the story. A couple years later the film came out, and it only cemented my love for the story. When they made the live-action movie a few years back, I hoped it would stay true to the original movie and the book, which it pretty much did. I was mainly glad that this latest version of the movie would bring the book (and original animated movie) back into people's interests.

I think Charlotte's Web is one of the more perfect books for the young reader, as it deals with friendships, life and death, helping others and a pretty magical storyline. Reading does not have to be a dry, boring affair, and those who try and push it in that direction for children risk losing them out of disinterest. Especially these days, with so many other activities vying for kid's attention.

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

Yes I loved that book too - but definitely those who complain about it's literature-worthyness I suspect are the same people bitching about Harry Potter.

The great thing is it gets kids hooked on reading; and anyway children's fiction exists in a different world to adult, very few adult books have crossed over, because basically they are mostly boring and concerned with talking heads rather than imagination.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for sharing this in your journal. My sister and niece are teachers and I've seen how much they've inspired their students over the years. If we were lucky, we each had a teacher like Miss Shore. I know I was fortunate .. my third grade teacher Mrs. Sandberg taught us all how to square dance, to love music. I've had special mentors throughout my life ... What a blessing!

This story moved me to tears ... We should all make it a goal to make a difference in someone's life ...

HUGS!

[sfmini.livejournal.com]

Bettie Flash, senior history. A good teacher of history, I guess. At 17 I had been an emancipated minor for a year and a half. I lived alone and had no friends and a then undiagnosed case of bipolar. During one class she sensed something horrific was imminent and took me, abandoned her class to a teacher in the next room and sat with me and talked for what seemed like hours. What went on in those hours is why I am here today. How she knew what was about to happen I'll never know, but I praise the heavens she did. She got me the help I needed.

Her biggest lesson to me as a teacher taught me to be a person who can reach out and care for people and to have some unusual perception of when it is needed.

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

This comes to mind ...

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this Phil, it brought the ol' teary eyes to me as I read the 4 parts. So wonderful.

I had an wonderful experience with grade school that I should share in my own journal and may have shared aspects of it in the past and 2 of them, my 4th and 5th grade teachers I may still be able to do so through my best friend's brother who used to work with them at one point in his career.

And he proves that even just one good teacher can make a huge difference.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Then by all means write about them. Such goodness deserves mention.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

I am amazed at the ability for most people to remember their teacher's names. At the moment, offhand, I can't remember a single teacher's name prior to uni. I can only remember 3 names from uni.

It's no doubt a purposeful mental block, but I've always had it.

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

I can remember Miss Wilson my G.C.S.E. art teacher - one of the few to actually encourage me and care, although she wasn't all cuddly she was very good.

The other ones I can remember are because they were bad, and don't deserve a mention.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I remember the truly good ones and the definite bad ones. And even some of those I have trouble with the actual names. I'm bad with names.

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

Oh... my. *tears* Wow. And so many similarities to what I experienced.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a good thing to me. :)

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I poked my head out long enough to post this. I felt I had to share. I'll try and post my own stuff sometime in the near future.

[teddyb.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting on this, Phil. I had read Brad's original posts and was moved by them as well.

I was extraordinarily lucky to have had a series of brilliant and highly dedicated teachers over the years, and I know I tried to go back and let them know how much they meant to me. In most cases, I was able to catch up with them years after I'd moved on from their classes, and I was always surprised that they were surprised to know how much I appreciated the experience of having been a student in their class. All the more reason I was glad I was able to let them know.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I guess I was lucky not only to have decent teachers that meant a lot to me, but even the bad ones taught me that not everyone is perfect at what they do, nor should some people be in particular types of work.

[nayrene.livejournal.com]

GREAT story. I always used to feel like such a freak because I liked most of my teachers and I don't know if it's BECAUSE I liked them, but I feel like I ended up with an amazing NUMBER of them over the years. I have reconnected with many of them since they taught me, from grade school through college, and count some of them as friends now. Thanks for sharing.

[beastbriskett.livejournal.com]

I'm late, but I had to say this was a high point in the day. I hope that we all had at least one teacher who inspired us that way, even if we don't get to tell them like this guy did.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

That is a wonderful story.

I had a very few such inspiring, kind, and amazing teachers like that.

I was encouraged to read and write my own stories by a few grade school, and much later, by a few high school and college teachers.

It's still up in the air as to whether or not I become a published writer someday, but it is because of their encouragement that I still enjoy reading and writing stories, well into my 50's now.

People who make such a strong, positive, and long lasting effect on the lives of others are angels on Earth. Literally.

My favorite book at age 10 was Isaac Asimov's NINE TOMORROWS.

I still have the same copy of it that I had at that age in 1967.

It is in excellent shape, except for some small chocolate stains on a very few pages - and that is what taught me at a young age NEVER to mix eating and reading.