A Few Simple Words

Recently I ran across a note I had received from a middle school student I taught more than 20 years ago. It was my first year of teaching at a K-12 independent school, and I taught physical science to eighth graders and physics to 11th and 12th graders. Having spent the previous 10 years as a college instructor, I found teaching eighth graders to be the most difficult thing I had ever encountered.  And if I am to be frank, I was not very good at it.  No, scratch that – I was a terrible eighth grade teacher. I was sarcastic and cantankerous and drastically underprepared to teach eighth graders. I begged every middle school teacher, who was willing, to come to my class and help me improve. Needless to say, it was a long first few months.  Eventually, I very slowly figured it out, and continued to teach middle school for two more years. As these days are far in my life's rearview mirror, I can now admit that I came to really enjoy that age group.

One of the traditions of this middle school was to write short notes, only one or two lines, to teachers that had an impact on their school life. Given my rough go as a novice middle school teacher, I was not expecting any accolades from my eighth graders. So as I approached my envelope, all of which were hung in the middle school center after the last day of classes, I was expecting a Charlie Brown Halloween experience – “I got a rock.”  But much to my surprise there was actually a folded piece of green paper inside. As I read it, tears came to my eyes (full disclosure: I am a bit of a softy). The note read, “I know I may not have been your best student, but I really enjoyed your class and especially you. You got me.”  

This student transferred to another school, so to this day I am not actually sure what I “got” about them or how I connected in a meaningful way, but that is not really the point. The point is a bit of a secret that I am now sharing in this blog.  Teachers keep these inspirational notes from students and families in a special place. And when things are getting tough or they have a particularly challenging day, or week, or year, they pull them out and reread them – sometimes over and over. As a treasured former colleague of mine always said, “these notes are the extra zero on your paycheck. They remind us that we do make a difference.” These 22 words, written by someone who is now in their 30s, still inspire me and bring me the greatest sense of joy. It takes me to an exact time and place where I started my journey to be a teacher.

What may not be surprising is that for the past few years, teachers have needed to reread these words more than ever. Teaching is growing more and more challenging every year. You need not take my word for it; you only need to search for and read the stories of teacher shortages and beloved instructors leaving the profession.  

So as the graduation season is almost upon us at Wardlaw+Hartridge, I have a request for all our students and families. Take a minute to reflect on the year. I hope there was one (and hopefully more) teacher that made a difference in your child's life – a teacher that was there for your child when they most needed them, or who encouraged and/or inspired your child to be more than they thought possible, or who maybe just listened when your child needed to be heard, or for any other reason, was authentically important to your child. If a teacher or two fills this bill for your child, I hope they take a moment and write a brief note to them. Let their teacher know how important they were, but have them do so not in person, or in a text, or an email – write it in a note. Something they can hold and cherish.  Something they can store away and take out when they most need inspiration and a reminder of why they teach.   

Please do it now before you forget. Never, ever underestimate what a few simple words can do.