Letter from a Student

It rare that for me that I receive any kind of praise from my students. In fact the opposite is true. Teenagers tend to be critical of everything, teachers included. Perhaps I am normal, but I feel vulnerable to student criticism. They can tell me things and I often take it to heart. Probably I try to be even too reasonable. A case in point is the point of almost open rebellion from many of my fourth period students about doing a research paper. My sixth period did it without complaint. My fourth period claimed that I did not take them through enough steps. I took them through all of the steps. Then I gave them an extra week to work on it. I suppose that my mistake was to let them work in groups. Many excuses about "So and so has the paper and they are absent today."

I could go on and on about this class, but I must give credit to the very cooperative group in the class also who obviously like my class. Then there is the group who resists and criticizes just about everything that I do.

Yesterday I went to my mailbox in the Faculty room and pulled out a little envelope. I said to a faculty member who was there, "That's from a student." Both the size of the envelope and its wrinkled exterior betrayed its author. I always think when I receive something like this, "It could be good news and it could be bad news."
Here is what it said:

Dear Mr. Lynch

One might feel kind of weird weird writing a letter to an English teacher because I know it isn't perfect grammar or punctuation, but I'll put my best efforts into it. I'm just another student at Analy trying to get my education for the future. I'm also a student in your fourth period English class. Many of my friends are in that class along with me, or at least people I'd like to call friends. I think sometimes I have a lot in common with many of my peers, but last week during class I found a huge difference between them and myself.

When we began the discussion about the research paper, I just expected the same kids would be yelling out complaining about how difficult it is and how they didn't listen or go to tutorial for help. But I soon realized it went much further than that. In my opinion it went too far. I felt uncomfortable being in the classroom, surrounded by so much negativity and outspoken words of naive children trying to sound like adults and putting down your profession. When I heard a girl say that you're a horrible teacher and that she hadn't learned anything that whole year, and the chanting of kids agreeing with her, I was mortified. Not only because I completely disagree, but mostly because I've never seen so much lack of respect. Even if they truly believe that, it's one of those opinions one keeps to themselves or comes and tells you in private.

I think that a lot of the outbursts in class are ridiculous. I thought that everything would calm down after Tanner left, but I could see how badly that hurt your feelings. I thought I saw your eyes water a bit and it made me want to cry too. (In actuality my eyes did not water, but the comment did sting.)

This letter was in no way meant to get me a higher grade, or kiss up to the teacher. As a matter of fact I would prefer to remain anonymous. I enjoy your teaching methods so much more than other teachers that I have. I think that you like to teach sort of on a tangent, which some may not understand, but I find it so much more interesting than the boring text. Learning from experience and stories has always been so much easier for me to grasp. You're very laid back and you have a youthful energy, which makes you easy to listen to and hard to believe that you're retiring. Your composure when you're being yelled at by smart asses really inspires me to be mentally stronger.

All in all, you're an inspiration and an amazing teacher. I'm glad that I've had you as a teacher before you left. Even though some may beg to differ, I know you will be missed and I'll remember you ten years from now when I think back on my favorite teachers from high school. Please don't change your teaching methods because of what those kids say or do. On day they'll look back and regret some the things they've said and done. Karma's a bitch.

The letter is not signed. I found it very powerful and I have never receive a letter from a student with this amount of compassion for a teacher.

Even more unusual I received a facebook message from a student that I was trying to contact. They had written to themselves ten years ago and I am in the process of finding them to give them the letters that I have been holding on to. This was a really tough group that I had then. The were a part of a school within a school called the Academy. Really it was all the unmotivated students put together into one class, very difficult.

Here is what Krissy said:

Re: Your "old" Teacher

No way!!! Hi Mr. Lynch. I hope you are doing well.
Thank you for remembering me. That letter sounds interesting. You know, I thought about you the other week randomly. I guess I was intuned with you trying to send me that letter maybe. Also, I wanted to say I'm sorry for giving you such grief in the classroom when I was younger. You have always been a good man, and I was a rebellious teenager. I still feel bad for that.

-Take care

Amazing - the power of the word.