Kind Words

As I was cleaning out my desk this afternoon, I found a letter from a young man who subbed a day for one of my Instructional Assistants.  I don't remember when or for who, but I do remember when he left it on my desk.  Stumbling upon it, made me feel really good!  It reads:

Dear Ms. Barr, 

      Thanks a lot for letting me come to work with you guys today. I had a lot of fun. I was impressed by how mush the kids respected you. In past assignments I've been around kids that would refuse to obey and a kid who though (sp) a fit!  Good Work!  I really want to teach English language overseas but my college advisor has told me that my management skills need to be improved on.  If you ever have a few minutes, I would be glad to receive any short feedback on things I need to work on to become a better teacher.  Thanks again.  

Blah Blah

Blah Blah@ Blah.edu

There are so many things I could comment on from this letter but first and foremost I never responded!  Wow, I think I am going to email him and see how his teaching is going.  I am so beyond flattered that anyone would even want my advice, although I do feel that my management skills are my strength.  A huge part of my teaching philosophy revolves around children being able to follow classroom rules and routines as well as demonstrate self-control before any other learning can even happen.  Enough about my teaching philosophy!  The bottom line is, finding this letter meant a lot to me and I hope Blah Blah made it overseas despite my lack of response to his letter!  It also makes me realize, once again, that what I do makes a difference, not only to children but to the parents and colleagues I come into contact with (or at least I hope this wasn't a one time occurrence!) TTFN!