On the last day of school I handed out Thank You cards to all my students. They were all so welcoming when I took over the class at the beginning of their second semester.
A sampling:
_________,
I really enjoyed having you in class—you’re a smart girl. Don’t let yourself go down the wrong path—the future is yours to make the most of our throw away.
Choose wisely!
Mrs. Juggling
__________,
It was great to get to have you in class and get to know you—you truly impress me.
I hope the internship* works out—I know you will be great.
Mrs. Juggling
___________,
I am so proud of what you accomplished this year**. You have really shown what you are capable of—and if you can do it freshman year I know you can do it from now on.
Call me when it’s time to pick a college, okay?
Mrs. Juggling
___________,
What to say? You broke my hear a little bit. You have soooooo much potential. Please use all your gifts next year***—be the comeback kid—from “F”s to “A”s.
Please?
Mrs. Juggling
___________,
It was great to have you in class. I appreciate your hard work and attention to detail.
Also, I get a kick out of your competitive spirit—winning may not be everything, but it is better than losing!
Mrs. Juggling
*My wonderful BIL has agreed to let him intern for his business.
**1.0 first semester to 2.7 second semester.
***She’s got the attracting boys thing down, but she’s totally neglected the using her brains thing to get good grades.
Those little personal notes mean so much to the kids who get them. You are a great teacher, Jenn.
Posted by: Smalltown Mom | June 22, 2010 at 12:00 AM
You make a difference in the lives of kids and that's one of the most admirable things ever! YOU deserve a big Thank You; I hope you got a few!
Posted by: Lisa | June 22, 2010 at 01:20 AM
What a fantastic gesture.
Posted by: Steph | June 22, 2010 at 02:06 AM
OH! Competitive spirit, eh???
Posted by: gary rith | June 22, 2010 at 08:02 AM
What a nice touch Jenn, it shows them that you really care.
Posted by: busy bee suz | June 22, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Aww, that's really sweet. My English teacher instilled in me the importance of thank you notes. I bet that made your students feel really good!
Posted by: Meg | June 22, 2010 at 11:13 AM
I bet these kids will keep these thank you cards always. Nice touch, teacher!
Posted by: phd in yogurtry | June 22, 2010 at 11:23 AM
I still remember notes and comments from my teachers.
The girl who attracts the boys - will you be able to keep tabs on her at all or work as a mentor? It sounds like she could use one.
Posted by: Ashley | June 22, 2010 at 12:25 PM
I love this! Love, love, love.
Posted by: Kelly, The Glass Dragonfly | June 22, 2010 at 12:57 PM
I still remember being so awed by a note one of my teachers wrote to me in high school. I had no idea he though so well of me. It was inspiring. So are you as a teacher!
Posted by: Brightside-Susan | June 22, 2010 at 02:01 PM
What a wonderful idea. I still have notes from throughout my life, including a note a teacher at my school wrote me when I didn't make the varsity soccer team. It is a treasure.
Posted by: Stacie | June 22, 2010 at 04:49 PM
MM received a note from his Lit teacher, so I can vouch for the preciousness of those cards.
Posted by: kcinnova | June 22, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Our kids created homemade autograph books and I was signing them until they walked out the door on the last day. I could definitely take a page from your playbook on great stuff to say while you're saying goodbye.
Posted by: apathy lounge | June 22, 2010 at 07:29 PM
You are Awesome! More people should do this. I wrote the two girls I worked with (at my first nanny job) letters about the people they were, and the things I appreciated about them at that time. Their mom cried when she read them, and tucked them away in a safe place for the future.
Posted by: jenrantsraves | June 22, 2010 at 08:45 PM
I love the ones that you shared. It sounds like it was a great adventure!
Posted by: JCK | June 22, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Those words could truly be life-changing for those kids. EXACTLY why I wanted to become a teacher!
You should be VERY proud of yourself. They've been so blessed to know and learn from you.
Posted by: Baby Favorite | June 23, 2010 at 10:17 AM
You are a most excellent teacher. I don't recall any one of mine ever thanking students like that. Good on you.
Posted by: magpie | June 23, 2010 at 04:25 PM
This is so awesome. I know some kids won't care much, but there will be some kids who treasure this note and keep it for YEARS. I still have a book my 3rd grade teacher gave me for my reading that she inscribed a wonderful message in! Such a treasure. That's a sign of a great teacher! :)
Posted by: kaylen | June 24, 2010 at 02:03 AM
When writing your resume, always do your best to accentuate the positive aspects of your career. Try to show the value in what you have to offer a potential employer. Always disclose important negative information, but the highlights of your resume should put a positive spin on any negative aspects.
Posted by: Nanny Jobs | September 30, 2013 at 10:26 AM