A teacher worthy of praise
Most of us, if we think long enough, can recall teachers who, even at a very young age, made an impact in our lives. I unfortunately remember a few statements made by teachers throughout my school career that were damaging. But also, very fortunately, I remember the words and actions from others who built up and encouraged and, in a positive way, helped set the trajectory of my life.
My daughter begins the third grade this year. But it is her second grade teacher that I want to praise. Throughout her second grade year I watched on numerous occasions as my daughter interacted with her second grade teacher, Mrs. Montgomery. I watched on the very first day of orientation when Mrs. Montgomery spoke words of hope and truth into my daughter’s life. Words as simple as “I can see that we are going to have a wonderful year together.” I watched as my daughter began to show a special affinity toward the arts that Mrs. Montgomery did not discourage her but prodded her to pour herself more fully into her giftedness. I listened as my daughter struggled in other subjects while Mrs. Montgomery encouraged her to work harder and walked alongside of her to give her confidence.
This summer my daughter and every other member of Mrs. Montgomery’s second grade class received a letter in the mail. The following is the one that Tabitha received.
August 8, 2007
Dear Tabs,
Summer is going fast. I have had a great time. I went to Florida for a week of vacation, taught Bible School, went to camp and worked in my garden. I have read over ten books. Some of the books were about being a better teacher and some were just fiction books.
I worked at Strausser every day last week. I saw your name on the picnic table. It made me think of what a great class we had last year. I really miss you. Tabs, you were an important part of the team.
Have you been reading and making a quick journal entry about the book? Remember you don’t have to write huge paragraphs. Just tell me the main idea. If you bring in your journal at Open House, I have a surprise waiting for you.
You are going to love third grade. It is more exciting than last year. In third grade you start to learn more science and social studies. The books you read will be full of interesting facts. You are ready!
Your teacher next year has lots to teach you. Every teacher you ever have will help you in a different way. Learn all you can from each one.
I know you will do well in third grade, Tabitha. Do your best on every assignment. Pay attention and work together with your team.
Remember that I will always be proud to have been your second grade teacher. No matter how old you get, I will be thinking about you and following news of you! Do great things!
Love,
Mrs. M.
After Tabitha met her new third grade teacher and toured her new classroom at Open House, the very next thing she wanted to do was visit Mrs. Montgomery. We made our way to the second grade hall and there Mrs. Montgomery reviewed Tabitha’s journal, looked directly into her eyes and said, “Tabs, you are going to have a wonderful year. Your third grade teacher is going to teach you even more than I taught you. I am very proud of you.” And she hugged my daughter before we walked away.
Small things. Spoken words of encouragement. A Hug. A brief letter. But who knows how these things “small things” might change the life of a child?
So, to all of you teachers who love and believe in children. To all of you who make the time to do the extra things. To all of you who take your position with the seriousness it deserves. And especially to Mrs. Montgomery. Thank-you. You are worthy of praise.
My daughter begins the third grade this year. But it is her second grade teacher that I want to praise. Throughout her second grade year I watched on numerous occasions as my daughter interacted with her second grade teacher, Mrs. Montgomery. I watched on the very first day of orientation when Mrs. Montgomery spoke words of hope and truth into my daughter’s life. Words as simple as “I can see that we are going to have a wonderful year together.” I watched as my daughter began to show a special affinity toward the arts that Mrs. Montgomery did not discourage her but prodded her to pour herself more fully into her giftedness. I listened as my daughter struggled in other subjects while Mrs. Montgomery encouraged her to work harder and walked alongside of her to give her confidence.
This summer my daughter and every other member of Mrs. Montgomery’s second grade class received a letter in the mail. The following is the one that Tabitha received.
August 8, 2007
Dear Tabs,
Summer is going fast. I have had a great time. I went to Florida for a week of vacation, taught Bible School, went to camp and worked in my garden. I have read over ten books. Some of the books were about being a better teacher and some were just fiction books.
I worked at Strausser every day last week. I saw your name on the picnic table. It made me think of what a great class we had last year. I really miss you. Tabs, you were an important part of the team.
Have you been reading and making a quick journal entry about the book? Remember you don’t have to write huge paragraphs. Just tell me the main idea. If you bring in your journal at Open House, I have a surprise waiting for you.
You are going to love third grade. It is more exciting than last year. In third grade you start to learn more science and social studies. The books you read will be full of interesting facts. You are ready!
Your teacher next year has lots to teach you. Every teacher you ever have will help you in a different way. Learn all you can from each one.
I know you will do well in third grade, Tabitha. Do your best on every assignment. Pay attention and work together with your team.
Remember that I will always be proud to have been your second grade teacher. No matter how old you get, I will be thinking about you and following news of you! Do great things!
Love,
Mrs. M.
After Tabitha met her new third grade teacher and toured her new classroom at Open House, the very next thing she wanted to do was visit Mrs. Montgomery. We made our way to the second grade hall and there Mrs. Montgomery reviewed Tabitha’s journal, looked directly into her eyes and said, “Tabs, you are going to have a wonderful year. Your third grade teacher is going to teach you even more than I taught you. I am very proud of you.” And she hugged my daughter before we walked away.
Small things. Spoken words of encouragement. A Hug. A brief letter. But who knows how these things “small things” might change the life of a child?
So, to all of you teachers who love and believe in children. To all of you who make the time to do the extra things. To all of you who take your position with the seriousness it deserves. And especially to Mrs. Montgomery. Thank-you. You are worthy of praise.
posted by Greg Nettle at 8:34 AM
4 Comments:
It is just so cool to teach children. As a music teacher, I get kids who start out knowing absolutely nothing about music, and within a few years, they're playing like they've been doing it all their lives. And the thing is, they'll pass that on to their children, and their children will pass that on, and it just keeps going. That's my legacy and that's what makes me smile. Though they're teens and pre-teens, some of my advanced students have even begun to play their instruments in their churches...the gift that someone shared with me is now being compounded all over the place! It's awesome to see what these kids do with the investment teachers make in them.
I have a college degree that has absolutely NOTHING to do with teaching. My degree is in the legal field. Now that my own daughter has started school, I'm not looking for a job in my degree field, I'm opening up my teaching schedule for more students. It's the best job in the world!! =D
My daughter is in the third grade at Strausser as well (my second daughter enters the 1st grade this year). You'll be happy to know that her teacher was also very encouraging and deserving of praise. Believe it or not, she would on a occassion reveal little pieces of her faith from time to time. She made my daughter feel as though she had a freind as much as a teacher. My daughter felt "special" in her class and I believe many others did too. Two of the three of my daughers' new teacher sthis year strike me as having those same qualities of warmth and encouragement (nothing negative about the third - it's more that the first two were just wonderfully warm and engaging. I'm really happy to have my kids in the care of these teachers when they are not at home with us. I really feel that they sincerely care about and love the children they serve.
One of our daughters had Mrs. Montgomery when she was at Sauder. Her sisters and her were invited and went to summer camp with Mrs. Montogmoery that year. She is a great teacher and did a wonderful job. I have always been impressed with the teachers and staff we have had at Sauder, Jackson Middle School, and the hgih school.
The positive comments from a teacher go a long way in the daily school life of our children. The girls have enjoyed running into their teachers at Rivertree. This daily example, in and out of the classroom, is what amkes a difference in a childs life.
You also need to look at the princpal of the school as she/he makes most of the decisions on hiring teachers. Dave Guertal(A Rivertree Partner),principal at Whipple in Perry hires some of the best teachers too. Three of my kids had great teachers there. He always commented on not big able to take teacher requests for younger siblings but I had to tell him it was so unneccesary as all the teachers were so good.
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