Friday, October 18, 2013

An Open Letter to my Students

Disclaimer:  the opinions given here are mine and mine only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my fellow teachers or any of my employers.  This letter does not reference any particular student, parent, or staff member and any resemblance is the sign of a guilty conscience coincidental.  So don't sue me/fire me/raise a fuss.  

My dear students, 

When I was your age, I never thought that I would one day be the one being the teacher's desk.  I was going to be famous.  I don't think I ever really considered what my teachers did at the end of the day, what their families were like, or how much time they spent grading papers and going to meetings on my behalf.  So I honestly don't really expect you to think too much about me. I think about you a lot, though, and if given the opportunity, there are a lot of things I would love to tell you.  So here we go. 

1. You drive me crazy.  We all have our bad days, including myself.  Some days, however, all of us have a bad day at the same time.  And some days when I'm having a bad day, you cheer me up.  So it all evens out.  
2. You are hilarious. ...usually without meaning to be.  The innocence of youth.  Some times you tell jokes that make me laugh, sometimes it's silly little stories, and sometimes it is the way you act.  It brings a smile to my face... mot of the time.  

3. I care about you more than you realize.  I want you to behave in my class and learn, certainly, but there is so much more to it than that.  I care about who you are, and who you will become.  I worry about you when you seem off.  I want you to be successful not just in school, but in life.  

4. I would protect you with my life.  I don't need to tell you that this is a scary world.  I hope to dear lord Jesus in heaven and on earth that it never comes down to it but know this: if danger starts coming down that hall, you better believe I will put myself between it and you.  

5. I love you, sometimes because of what you do and some times in spite of what you do.  As much as you drive me crazy sometimes, I love each of you in your own way.  

6.  You are the reason I come to work each day.  I didn't take this job to do paperwork, grade papers, and attend meetings.  I took the job because of you and my desire to help you and teach you.  



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