SJS is the best

As promised, here is the letter for Mrs. Miller.  I liked this “challenge.”

Dear Mrs. Miller,

This is Laurie. You had me quite a few years ago for 6th, 7th and 8th grade Social Studies. I graduated in 1995. I don’t know how well you remember me, and maybe it’s better than I would think, but having been a teacher for five years, I know that names come and go more easily than I would like to admit. Of course, I worked at a large public school, so maybe St. Joe’s is a little different. Actually, I know it is.

I’ve been doing this thing since the beginning of the year on my blog (www.bugsii.com if you want to hear about my daily life). I created a list of challenges for myself and one was to write to an old teacher. I chose you for a few reasons. I really looked up to you as a strong, smart and funny woman, which are traits that I not only admire, but that I happen enjoy very much. I also like to think that I have acquired a few of those. Everyone thought you were the greatest teacher and everyone wanted to have you in 8th grade. I felt lucky that my whole class was able to have you for homeroom because we were such a small group. The way you carried yourself and the way that you formed a bond with your students attracted us all to you. I also chose you because I’ve always wanted to tell you how much influence you had on my love for and confidence in being able to understand politics and current events. You were the first teacher that helped us to understand adult issues like the deficit, the elections, and the war in Kosovo. I still remember getting to create a campaign poster for Ross Perot during the ’92 campaign. I definitely regret that decision, but lucky for all of us, I couldn’t vote for another 6 years. I know I just picked Perot because that’s who my Dad was going to vote for, so it must be interesting for you to see a little microcosm of the voting in Canton every four years. I wonder what you think of our newest president and what a historical moment that was. The reason I say all of that is just to explain that I pay attention to what’s going on in the world and I try to keep myself informed (I’m an NPR junkie) and I owe much of that to you. In fact, my first year in college, I majored in international studies because I was so very interested in what was going on in the world. Later, I changed schools and decided to major in middle childhood education with a focus in science and social studies. Picking middle childhood education was easy because my experience in junior high at St. Joe’s were some of the best years in my K-12 career. I really felt like I was part of a family. I loved my classmates and I thought my teachers were the best. I had good self-esteem and none of the drama that (I now have witnessed) comes with a typical junior high experience. I want to thank you for that.

I also want to thank you for something you might not remember. When we had to turn money for our trip to DC and you pulled me aside to be sure that I would be able to pay, I sort of thought you were crazy at the time. I remember telling you that my dad would have the money after payday (duh, Mrs. Miller!). Of course, I understand now that you were aware of the financial struggles my family had and I also understand now how sad that sounds when a kid thinks it’s normal to have to wait for payday for money to be available. But, I want to thank you for watching out for me and my well being and caring enough to make sure that I would be able to go on our class trip. It was one of the greatest three days of my life. I have very fond memories of the bus ride, the hotel, the metro ride, Arlington cemetery, the Washington monument and much much more. Washington is still one of my favorite places to visit.

In 8th grade, I also received the Nancy Moser McPherson award and I remember being so surprised about that. I just didn’t think that I deserved it and it really made me feel great that my hard work was noticed by my teachers. Thank you for choosing me for that award.

I mentioned I was a teacher for five years (I still consider myself a teacher), but I’m not teaching middle school anymore. I’m in a PhD program at Ohio State in educational technology and now I teach graduate students. I really love the challenge of it, but it can also be very scary and intimidating. Sometimes I long for the safety of St. Joe’s and I’m so glad that I was able to grow up in that school, which was home for me when my own home could not be, which gave me a foundation that still sustains me. I really believe it was my saving grace. I know my parents appreciated it too. My dad especially loved St. Joe’s. But, as a teacher, I know how nice it is to hear from former students and I wanted to do this because I can finally articulate what I wouldn’t have been able to as a 13 year old. I also have wondered for a long time about my junior high self. I often wondered, as I looked out on my classroom of students, who I was in my junior high days. Most times I think I must have been the most obnoxious, goofy, happy thing, but maybe I have a distorted memory of those years. Is there anything you can tell me? I would love to hear from you. I’m so glad you are still teaching at St. Joe’s and I hope all is well for you there. I wish you nothing but the best.

Thank you!
Laurie

P.S. I’m also married now. Going on three years!