Over the past few weeks I had the distinct pleasure of filling in for a 5th grade teacher on paternity leave on a pretty regular basis. I've gotten to know the students and their daily routine. I didn't feel as much like a sub as a co-teacher. These were not just some kids I was going to spend a day with and then for the most part forget about. They became my kids.
Today I didn't take a single break from them. I ate lunch outside with them, and spent recess playing frisbee and racing around the track with them. It didn't hit me til the end of the day though when one of my students asked if I would be back tomorrow.
I told her I would be at the school, but not in their class. I'm done as their teacher. She then proceeded to reach in her desk and retrieve a piece of notebook paper that had been folded in half hamburger style. Scrawled in pencil across the front in as fancy as a block print as a 5th grade girl can manage and underlined with a squiggle was written, "Mr. B." She told me not to open it until I got home, and I told her I wouldn't and tucked it in the front cover of book I managed to finish today. However, I couldn't wait, and as soon as all my students has left the room my hand darted for my book and pulled the letter out of its temporary home. I unfolded the letter to find one of the most precious things ever written to me.
Dear Mr. B,
You have been a nice teacher. I will miss you. Hope find a Job when were gone for the summer. Thank you for being my subteacher!
Bye!
Your Student,
At the bottom she printed and signed her name. I felt like I could cry. I knew my time with them was up, but I did nothing about it. All I have now is this one letter. This one letter which is worth more to me than most anything. I'll miss you too kids.
I'll miss you too.
Aw Nate...you're going to be the best math teacher there ever was. So sweet.
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