Dear Mrs. awesome fourth grade teacher,
It feels like yesterday that I was calling you on Matt's first day of fourth grade and explaining to you what a difficult and traumatic time he had during third grade. I was sending you a wounded and depressed little boy and I needed you to know that there was a sweet charming little boy behind the pain. I'll never forget you cutting to the chase after listening to me sob through the long version of the whole story and asking me exactly what the worst part of third grade was for Matt. I told you that he felt like the teacher had picked on him so much the kids had turned against him too. You said "Give me a month, he'll be the most popular kid in school." I told you I wasn't asking for that, and you told me I should trust you and we agreed to speak again soon. You were true to your word, and soon after our conversation it became obvious that Matt was indeed being well regarded by his peers, so much so that they were singing his artistic praises at home. Parents were approaching me and sharing stories of Matt's talent they had heard from their children.
One of the highlights of fourth grade for Matt were his Jameson Days. (Jameson, a high school senior, came to Matt's classroom once a week and they stayed in during the lunch recess to draw together) You found a kindred spirit for Matt in Jameson. Once a week you would give up your own lunch time to allow Matt and Jameson some quiet time in your classroom to draw together. On his Jameson Days, Matt would pop out of bed in the morning, he'd be all smiles and happiness, and ready to go to school way before we needed to leave the house. He couldn't wait to jump into his Jameson Days.
Matt still talks about the drawing lessons you encouraged him to conduct with the class. Those lessons made him feel so good about himself and his abilities. I can still close my eyes and see the photos you sent home of a beaming Matt standing in front of the overhead projector demonstrating how to draw a bear.
Matt flourished that year in your class. He felt safe again. Matt knew that you had his back and that is exactly what he needed from his teacher. The Matt that walked out of your class in June was a healing Matt, a Matt that barely resembled the Matt that entered your room 10 months before.
I'd think you'd want to know that today, on Matt's first day of high school, five years after my hurt little kid entered your class, he took it upon himself to find his guidance counselor. He walked into her office and after reassuring her that he did not have a problem, he explained to her about his Jameson Days as a fourth grader in your class and then he offered up his lunch hour to be a Jameson for someone else.
Thank you Mrs. awesome fourth grade teacher.
okay you suck, you just made me cry. a lot. Matt is a wonderful human being - but of course you already know that.
Posted by: Laura | September 07, 2007 at 07:51 AM
Oh. My. That was beautiful! I loved that letter and Matt is a sweetheart!
Posted by: Jen - Mom of 4 | September 07, 2007 at 08:27 PM