A Letter from an Angel

As a teacher, you become very passionate about your lessons and the content being covered. When you stand in front of the class you want your students to have that same passion about learning. So, here's a story about a letter that reminded me to "cool my jets."

I introduce the next unit in Science, the environment. I reviewed what they learned last year on the same topic ( that's what good teachers do) and connected it to this years focus. Blah, blah, blah went the lesson until I got to the part where I am passionate...cells. I love the study of cells and how they work. It's amazing how inside such a microscopic structure is the beginning of life. See how passionate I am about cells. Now, how passionate do you think my students were learning it? From my perspective about 50/50. Remember, that is my perception. Keep that in mind.
As I am imparting this knowledge to my students and projecting the gorgeous internal structure of the plant and animal cell up on my Promethean board, my excitement is going to new heights. Life couldn't get any better, and then to the left of me I saw what appeared to be a dream squasher. A student resting her head on her arms with her eyes closed. My excitement turned to disappointment. "A student not interested in cells! Choosing to sleep in class instead!" I know, don't go there. Don't say anything. Maybe she's not feeling well, but I went there. I scolded her for sleeping in class. She was very respectful as I told her that sleeping is for home and that she needs to pay attention. Now, this is where the story gets good. I went and finished the lesson, with some satisfaction that most of the class now loves cells as much as I do. I dismissed them and welcomed in the next crew of unsuspecting minds. As I was getting things ready, I saw what appeared to be a letter, resting on top of a stack of papers by my computer. It said on the top fold, "To Mrs. Brown". Awww... someone has written me a letter saying how much they enjoyed today's lesson on cells and hailing me as the greatest teacher ever. WRONG! I unfolded the paper and began to read.

Dear Mrs. Brown,
I wasn't sleeping in class today. I'm sorry that you thought I was. I was paying attention to everything you were saying. I love your class. I don't want you to be mad at me. It's just I get sick when I see things like cells and body stuff. It makes me want to throw-up This is why I had my eyes closed. I promise I wasn't sleeping.

OK, I'm feeling like a complete jerk, but I have another class that I have to teach. So, I purpose in my heart to rectify the matter before the end of the day. Finally, the best part of the school day...lunch. At least that's what the boys tell me. I walk into the cafeteria and I see the angel who wrote me the letter sitting at an infamous round blue table. She is laughing and talking with her friends. I walk up to where she is sitting and whisper in her ear. "I'm sorry." She looked up at me and smiled. She forgave me. I walked away with tears in my eyes.

Out of the mouth of babes. Thank you my little angel.