Giving Thanks
This morning I spoke with Karen and one of her colleagues had died yesterday....unexpectedly...and far too young. She told me how much she wished that she had told him how much he did for the school...because as a humble and unassuming man he was not the type to try to garner much attention. She shared that she wished that she could go from room to room today, telling those colleagues how much they meant to her.
I understood her pain...we too have lost colleagues...and it does make you stop and appreciate the people around you that you are often too busy to love. Several years ago I actually started a list that I thought I could use at my retirement....a list of colleagues (past and present) and what I had learned from them. (I'll run out of time before I run out of colleagues)
So while I have the chance...Thank you...for what you have taught me.
Ellen L....for caring about all students, every student and showing me that love is often in the little things.
Patty R....for knowing the power of prayer and sharing the gift of listening.
John T...for not being afraid to talk about the big issues with students.
Terri D...for making sure that all groups of people are represented in our history classes, and in our lives.
Beth M....for showing me how powerful patience can be.
Pete S....for faith and curiosity.
Kathy B....for upholding standards...and making me laugh until I cry.
Melissa B....for funny, practical and honest...at a time when I found all three difficult to be.
Mary C...for honoring the gifts of creativity and vision in students.
Elaine K....for reminding me that today's students are tomorrow's parents.
Jody M....for providing a role model for our young men.
Brian W...for showing students that history is as much about interactions between people as it is about events.
Chris S...for demonstrating that a father's love is incredibly valuable.
Wendy K...for sharing smiles and enthusiasm, especially on the days when it is hard to find them.
Jeremy S...for caring so very, very much for students....and for getting them involved.
Bruce B...for reminding me that flying under the radar once in a while is sane and healthy...and that students have many talents that we do no see in a "traditional" classroom.
Don H....for showing students that the best thing to be is yourself.
Mike S...for addressing each student's problem with dignity.
There are more...but that is enough for now...
with love,
Laurie
I understood her pain...we too have lost colleagues...and it does make you stop and appreciate the people around you that you are often too busy to love. Several years ago I actually started a list that I thought I could use at my retirement....a list of colleagues (past and present) and what I had learned from them. (I'll run out of time before I run out of colleagues)
So while I have the chance...Thank you...for what you have taught me.
Ellen L....for caring about all students, every student and showing me that love is often in the little things.
Patty R....for knowing the power of prayer and sharing the gift of listening.
John T...for not being afraid to talk about the big issues with students.
Terri D...for making sure that all groups of people are represented in our history classes, and in our lives.
Beth M....for showing me how powerful patience can be.
Pete S....for faith and curiosity.
Kathy B....for upholding standards...and making me laugh until I cry.
Melissa B....for funny, practical and honest...at a time when I found all three difficult to be.
Mary C...for honoring the gifts of creativity and vision in students.
Elaine K....for reminding me that today's students are tomorrow's parents.
Jody M....for providing a role model for our young men.
Brian W...for showing students that history is as much about interactions between people as it is about events.
Chris S...for demonstrating that a father's love is incredibly valuable.
Wendy K...for sharing smiles and enthusiasm, especially on the days when it is hard to find them.
Jeremy S...for caring so very, very much for students....and for getting them involved.
Bruce B...for reminding me that flying under the radar once in a while is sane and healthy...and that students have many talents that we do no see in a "traditional" classroom.
Don H....for showing students that the best thing to be is yourself.
Mike S...for addressing each student's problem with dignity.
There are more...but that is enough for now...
with love,
Laurie
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