Do you ever wonder what happened to some of your students?

[ctsky32]

Have you ever wondered what happened to some of your students that you know you really influenced?

Years ago, I had a student in my class who had some family issues at home. She did okay academically, but in my class she earned solid A's. She got in trouble in all of her other classes, but never mine. I know that I was her favorite teacher, and she has always been one of my favorite students. My class was her favorite class, and her favorite subject. The rest of her high school career, she continued to excel in the subject that I had first taught her in grade 9. She went on to major in this subject in college, and I don't know anything more, but I would love to! I'd love to know if she stuck with the subject and if she has a career now with it.

As much as I know that I inspired her, she really inspired me too. Knowing that I taught her, and inspired her - when she really seemed unreachable to everyone else. I would just love to know where she is in her life!

[Boxcar]

It is so wonderful when you know you truly made a difference.

I can remember teachers that I liked and who influenced me a great deal. One in particular was a English teacher i had in high school.

[Bananas]

I know what happens to some of my students as I see them in the community or they come by to see me or write me a letter. Others, I fear I know where they choose to end up, despite my best efforts.

[Just ducky]

I often think about those teachers that had the most influence on me and realize that one in particular probably influenced my choice to be a teacher more than anyone else. This makes me think that I should send a note or something to let her know how special she was.
I did talk to her a few years ago when I taught her special needs son as a sub. However, that isn't the same as taking time to write something.

I see my students at many sporting events that I work at---even those now called adults. But the most touching moment I think that I have ever had was a few years ago. My mother had just passed away a few weeks before. A young woman that I had in fourth grade twice came to visit. She brought her beautiful young daughter to show me. But, also to tell me that she had let me down because she had always told me that she would graduate. She hadn't at that point, but she told me that she knew that she would finish high school because she had made that promise to me.
"M" had been abused by a stepfather and was emotionally handicapped. She had such a difficult time, but I demanded her best. She told me that she always knew that I cared and that is what allowed her to be at peace when she had to move to get out of an abusive situation. She also knew that this would not be permanent and that one day she would pursue her high school diploma.
She ended up being such an inspiration to me that day.

[Chef Dave]

Part of the reason I went back into education was because of one of my students. She wrote to me from out of the blue to tell me how much she appreciated me as her third grade teacher. She said that when she applied to a teachers' college and had to appear before an application committee, she was asked, "Why do you want to be a teacher."

She told the committee about me.

When she wrote to me I had given up teaching and was in the food service industry. I thought I was happy in the food service industry but as the months passed, her kind words stuck in the back of my head. I began to remember how much I had enjoyed teaching. I also remembered why I quit my job as an elementary teacher.

At some point I had an epiphany and realized that I could combine my joy of teaching with my interest in the culinary arts ... and one year later, here I am!

I have no idea how she tracked me down after fifteen years. I had a yahoo address for her but have once again lost contact.