A big thank-you to everyone who pushed, pulled, cheered, and cajoled me out of my pity party yesterday. I am migraine free for two days now, so it looks like Christmas is going up this morning. Thank-you to flurrious and thistle who pointed out that my new computer has Windows Media Player installed. Oh hello me. It’s amazing that I figured out everything I have in order to have a blog.
Two bloggers that really snapped me back into reality were Words of Wisdom from a Smart Mouthed Broad and My Life Interrupted. These two posts about helping others during the holiday season put things back into perspective for me in a big way.
I could not leave such a whiney post up for the weekend, so before I go off to tackle the tree, the décor, the gift making, the gift wrapping… OK I’m going to stop writing about it before I get my migraine back. But before I go off, I would like to share something that totally made my week.
In my teacher mailbox I received a “Thanks” booklet. One of the 11th grade math teachers (yes. Math. How cool is that?) had his students write thank-you notes to a few teachers they had in their 9th or 10th grade years. The math teacher then consolidated these notes into booklets by teacher, put a cover on them, and slipped them into our mailboxes. Here’s a few.
The All-Star It’s Kind of Like Bragging, but WTF, These Made My Decade Notes
Dear Ms Pseudo,
Thank-you for being the best English teacher I’ve ever had. You sparked my interest in books and helped me improve my writing. I will continue to improve my writing skills because of your influence.
Dear Ms Pseudo,
Thank-you for a great year. The books you chose taught me a lot and I’ve never learned more in an English class. You were a great teacher.
Dear Ms Pseudo,
Thank-you for encouraging me to do my best, and supporting me. It really helped push me to become a better writer.
The Sweetest, Quietest Kid, Who I had No Idea Liked My Class Note
Dear Ms Pseudo,
Thank-you for passing me my sophomore year. I have some fun memories of your class, like when we did the skit.
The Back-Handed Compliment that Makes Me Smile Each and Every Time I read them Notes
Dear Ms Pseudo,
Thank-you for being one of the coolest teachers. You were always trying to act funny. Sometimes you were.
Dear Ms Pseudo,
Thank-you for teaching me about literature that I found putrid at first glance, because afterwards I took a liking to those books.
The I Absolutely Loved Teaching this Kid Because He Always Tried His Best Note
Dear Ms Pseudo,
Thank-you for all the teaching you have done for me in english. Wished you could of been my english teacher this year to. Hope you have a good Thanks Giving.
Oh. Anyone who misread me yesterday and thought my husband had left me (yeah, my writing must have needed some tuning up on that post), what I tried to say was that he turned a quick run to Wal-Mart for a tree stand into a 3 hour shopping trip with Son and I feel asleep before they got back.
31 comments:
"You were always trying to act funny. Sometimes you were."
HAHAHAHA. THAT KID is funny.
What a WONDERFUL gift. :) I'm glad you're feeling better.
Sorry I missed the pity party yesterday. Guess my invitation got lost in the mail.
Glad to hear all's right with the world again. And those notes from the kids you taught are above pearls. What a terrific pick-me-up The math teacher deserves a medal.
Kristan - That kid was never really funny in class. Wish he had been, because every time I read that notes I laugh to tears.
Tessa- Welcome! I will be sure to send you an invite to the next pity party - there's still a lot of holiday stress lurking in finals week. And yes, the Math teacher is getting a large bag of holiday treats from me in HIS mailbox.
I'm so behind in all my blog reading as I've been doing my decorating. I'm so glad you are feeling better and I thank you for the linky love. Have a great weekend and NO.MORE.MIGRAINES! :-)
Glad things look a little sunnier. Sometimes you just got to get down and just wallow in it - as long as you take a shower after.
I understand.
"Putrid at first glance?" Really? I'll aim to use that phrase in the coming week. Impressive.
And if I were you, I would leave that on my nightstand so in the morning I could start my day with one of those Thank Yous - great for the mojo!
Em
What a fabulous gift. Keep 'em forever. I'm glad your head is better and you are attempting decorating, wrapping, and gift creating...
what a lovely post! you're a lucky one to have such students :)
I'm glad you're feeling better! What great kids you had! Migraines aren't fun at all.
SMB Thanks for the kind words and the vanilla tips today *wink*
Movie - Once a migraine is gone, it's almost weird to have my head back again. Gift making going on in the oven right now.
Sunny and Blonde Duck - thank-you very much. The students are great (even when they're not).
What a fantastic idea from the math teacher! I almost wish I was still teaching so I could steal it.
I loved the notes! I have kept every student note (even the death threats:) There are a few that could pull me out of the deepest funk just reading them again.
Good luck with the decorating!
B- I think I might steal it too nextyear for the 9th grade teachers. They have it the toughest. Death threats huh? I had one when I first started working (CSAP at Waianae), but I never saved it.
I'm so glad you're feeling better.
That was sweet of your fellow teacher to think of the notes. Priceless.
Glad you're feeling better. Isn't it lovely when some one lets you know how appreciated you are.
I love that! And, I am so very glad you are out of your funk. I know how it feels, sister.
Great to know you're feeling better.
Those notes were great. When my first novel was published, the acknowledgement page carried a special message to several of my teachers.
My wife doesn't let me do 3-hour shopping trips because I go completely mad.
Glad he didn't really leave and hope he didn't go mad!
What a good group of kids you have! Hopefully this made your day a little brighter!
Thanks everyone, I'm glad I'm feeling better too. I got SO much done yestersay, but left a lot for today. I woke up in a panic attack, because I thought the migraine was coming back.
But my yummy gifts for my colleagues are bagged up.
TOP 20!!!
What great notes! And a priceless tribute to you as a teacher. :D
First of all thank you for the kind words and second of all, those notes are so wonderful. How precious those must be to you.
Hope you got a lot accomplished this weekend and are still pain free from migraines!
Dear Ms Pseudo,
You is the bestest.
:-)
There's nothing like a thank you note is there? It just makes the world right again.
I so love that you made English 'not putrid' for someone. That I think is a feat beyond words... :)
i think i love the back handed compliments the best...'putrid at first glance' sounds like a budding writer to me...
and the movie maker thing...serious fun once youge the hang of it...i really enjoyed playing with mine...and should do a cd up of the little one in our family for her parents/grandparents/greatgrandparents...thanks for the idea!
and just say no to migraines...
This is simply awesome! What a wonderful idea from the math teacher, and what wonderful and funny comments from your previous students. I happen to think English teachers are the best!
I like the back-handed ones too. They crack me up each and every time. The math teacher made a lot of teachers holidays this year.
WV is such a weird thing. crassom as in i love my crass room.
Aw, what a great idea! I may have to totally steal it for next year...
Yeah, I was wondering about the hubby, too!
Don't you just love kids?
The notes are the BEST! Thanks for sharing them with us. It's something special when a student takes time to tell a teacher what an impact they made. Good Job!!!!!
Those notes are wonderful!! lol What a cute idea.
So, it's not only the blogworld who think you rock, then Ms Pseudo? :))
Braja - you are too too nice. Remember, memory usually works in our favor. Try asking the kids who took my final exam during the last week. they might use a word other than rock....
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