As the school year begins, I thought it would be an appropriate time to ask teachers to put down that wine the kids drive you to drink and maybe read a bit about why you matter.
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To my powerful teachers:
I was a good student, if you remember. I realize it may not come across as such now due to the frivolous amount of swearing ’round these parts, but I was. (And sometimes the f-bomb needs to be dropped, okay?) I really enjoyed school. Sure there were crummy times during school, but overall, I look back with a quiet, soft smile that only nostalgia can bring and that I probably didn’t recognize during my school days.
You see, my home life was chaotic. You may not have known that, in fact, I may not have presented it as anything other than perfect. School was my solace; a place where I felt valued and that I was contributing something, even on days when it was only to my ever-expanding education.
I often joked that I lived at school, but there’s a shred of truth to that. I was home there.
Laughing in the hallways behind the theatre. Waking up way too early for student government meetings. Spending countless hours in the television studio editing videos. Cheering on friends as they won games, accolades or that hot date to the Sadie Hawkins dance. (Please note: that was not me. I got turned down. Please reference “crummy days” from above. That chap missed out on one awesome gal.)
I often talk to the hubster about how lucky I was to be surrounded by such a good group of friends during my school years. They are good nuggets. Most I’m still friends with to this very Facebook-driven day. I had a solid foundation of smart, funny, caring pals when, looking back, it probably would have been understandable to go down another path.
But school, and more importantly, teachers, shaped life-learning lessons and memories for me. They are the bridge to creating lasting effects on my mind and attitude.
I was the product of a tumultuous divorce, and with my dad living in a different state, home life often provided little reassurance I was doing something right. So my validation came from you. I also had little guidance since at home, it seemed I was a bit of an inconvenience at times. So my guidance also came from you.
You.
You were there.
Sometimes you provided advice I didn’t want to hear. For instance, when I didn’t get into my top choice university, I was devastated. And devastated in only the way a teenager could be. Read: dramatic. Word made it through the teachers’ lounge, I suppose, and some were pretty surprised about the rejection. You gave me a magnet that read, “Bloom where you are planted.” I was simultaneously pissed and touched (and hormonal?).
“How could she just tell me to get over it?! Aw. That’s so sweet of her.”
In fact, you volunteered to drive me up to Michigan State University when you heard I hadn’t been there and that’s where I’d be going to school. Your enthusiasm as an alum will never be forgotten as you bopped around campus with me just to share that the school, “Wasn’t so bad.” Psst…you were right.
On the day of my high school graduation, you stood with me in the bathroom of the Masonic Temple in Detroit and carefully and reassuringly went over the speech I was about to give to oh, around 3,000 people. I knew I would be okay because you knew it. And you know what? I was. I nailed that speech, people.
I worked my tail off to get scholarships and was granted quite a few when I graduated. Some scholarships mail you a check and others ask you to attend a ceremony where you’re showered with praise. Most ceremonies required your parents to be there and I was going to have to attend another one alone for whatever reason. But guess who went with me? You.
You may not have known the home you offered for me, but you did, and I’m forever grateful for the lessons you taught me in and outside the classroom. Your work means something. I haven’t forgotten. I could never forget.
You may think a relatively normal, well-put together student who has good grades doesn’t need your inspiration and guidance, but she might. She did, in fact. She did. And you provided that and so, so much more for her.
So, thank you.
Thank you: Ms. Gannon, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Guith, Mr. Bodick, Mr. Bates, Mr. Thoenes, Mrs. Weil, Señora Tucker, Mr. Bancroft, Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Moceri, Mr. Batroukh (Shah), Mrs. Gillan, Mrs. Schleicher, Dr. McCornack…and countless other teachers who provide priceless instruction in an often thankless job.
Don’t ever think for a moment that your job is forgettable. This gal in her thirties will haunt your dreams if you do. (See? I almost said ass instead of dreams and I respectfully held back. Willpower.)
Now get out there and mold some minds. After you finish that glass of wine, of course.
A forever grateful (and good looking) former student,
Caroline Peterson
I love this! I hope all your past teachers get to read this! Such a sweet tribute!
Awww, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! 😀
Well I read it and now I am crying at school – this is THE sweetest thing ever– and VERY inspiring as I start my first full week— I am sending it out in the Troy email– I have told your story about the devastation of not getting into UM and how you survived– imagine that? There are other universities that do great things 🙂 You are the best— I am so lucky to have been a part of your “story” xoxox
Haha! I’m glad that you can share my tragic and devastating story and let them know they’ll survive. 😉 Life goes on, indeed. I can attribute to getting through it because your support and others. I’m so glad you read this and it’s great hearing from you! 😀
Opened my e-mail this morning, read your letter & immediately walked over to my “Pared de fama” to look at your beautiful smiling face in the Senior pic you gave me – a smile that helped me get through plenty of rough days. I hope you know ( in other words) that, as much as teachers touch the lives of their students, they themselves get that same benefit (if not more) from their students – particularly students like you! What a lovely, witty (I remember that sass well!) note! Miss you!! Sra. Tucker 🙂
Oh my lord, I remember that picture and wall, Señora Tucker! I glad to hear it helped. And thank you so much for your kind words. The sass will never die. 😉 I thought of you a lot when I was in Spain last year too, just so you know. 🙂
Arrived at this post in a total round about way (Thank Facebook and Mrs. Pavich). Great post Caroline! Tell Courtney I said Hi!
Not to hijack this comment thread, but… HI MRS TUCKER!! Your Spanish class was ultra fun. You might not recall but we had Ksenija, Megan and Ashutosh. I still remember some of the exercises you gave. Hope all is well!
Haha. Hey Tyrone! Hope all is well! 🙂
Caroline, you were the best then and you seem to have retained that gift! I still have a box of whiteboard markers you gave me because my markers kept running out…all individually signed with a note! All your hard work in my math class and the pride you showed when seeing the results of your work! Your never-ending time and effort with Student government and all the positive things you did for THS were very appreciated by us teachers! Thank you Caroline, thank you!
Mr. Moceri
MR. MOCERI! I had forgotten about those whiteboard markers! Haha. What a great way to put a smile on my face today. Thank you so much for sharing those kindhearted words too. 🙂 It was so great hearing from you!
Caroline, your article filled my heart with pride. I don’t know you, but I know many of the wonderful teachers you mentioned. Your memories of the teachers seem matched to their memories of you. Thank you, you are the reason many of us return day after day, year after year.
I’m glad you enjoyed reading it, Lori! There are many students like me who, as adults, still hold their teachers close to their hearts. Thank you for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Caroline, like Harriet, I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes! What a sweet, wonderful piece! I still use the graphic novel version of MACBETH you and Kenny Appledorn gave me after you both were in the TTE production of “the Scottish play.” I think of you guys often and miss your enthusiasm and commitment. I’m so proud of you.
Even as an adult, it means to much to hear, “I’m so proud of you.” I’m so glad you enjoyed reading it, Mr. Bodick! I think of you often and everything you taught us. I completely forgot about the graphic novel version of Macbeth that Kenny and I gave you. Haha! Too funny! Glad you still have it. So good hearing from you!
Wow, Caroline- what a beautiful tribute to your teachers. “A teacher affects eternity”…but we rarely get to see the outcome of our labours. You are a bright, articulate woman and I who-heartedly agree with your reactions to these people. I particularly appreciate your ability to see your younger self and realize how these people helped shape your current, you. May you have the opportunity to pay this forward.
Who am I? Well, Harriet Tressedder was the RA in my dorm when we met in 1979. In 2015 she is a sister- minus the genetics, and a profoundly dear friend who has walked with me through the last 36 years- what a ride!! I am also a teacher, so I cheer loudly for your accolades and pray to God that there are 30-somethings out there who feel this way about my teaching connections!
What an incredible post- thank you!
Ann, Thank you so much for commenting and expressing your kind words. You’ve truly touched my heart — I’m glad Mrs. Clark has the same impression on others too! 🙂 Thank you for reading, I hope others teachers felt the same way and understand what an impact they can have even if they don’t hear it enough.