To My Students: What I Learned From You

As most of you know, my teaching position was recently eliminated as a part of budget cuts in my school system. Obviously, this was very unpleasant and no one likes looking for a new job in this economy, but I can honestly say I am more upset to be leaving so many wonderful kids and co-workers behind. I will miss them all immensely (even the occasionally difficult ones).

So, it has come to my attention that some of my students have discovered this sad, little blog. I've done my best to say "thank you and goodbye" to as many as I could, but since it is impossible for me to round up all 350 or so kids I taught or coached and the countless others I got to know through other school activities in the last two years, I thought I'd post a few words on here in hopes that a few more of them would know how much they mean to me. I tried to say something like this to some of them, but I had a really hard time putting it into words on the spot. So, here goes take two.

The main thing I'd like to say to all of you is thank you so much for being an amazing group of people. I got to know all of you during a really unique and difficult time in my life and I have no doubt that you were all put into my life when you were for a reason. I'm not really sure what the big picture reason is that I now have to leave, but I'm sure there is a reason for that too. But back to why I think you were exactly what I needed during my time here...

I have never wanted to burden my students with my personal life and I won't start now, but I do want to let you know that you helped me far more than I ever helped you. Your kindness, generosity, positive attitudes, hard work, senses of humor, etc. got me through a lot of days that would have been far more difficult anywhere else. I can't imagine going to work in a cubicle in an office for the last two years. Who would I tell to sit down and be quiet? Who would listen to me go on and on and on about how important and interesting Marbury v. Madison was? Who would cheer me on through four pounds of lasagna? Whose names would I regularly pretend to forget? Who would make t-shirts and Facebook groups for me when I got laid-off? Even if I couldn't have put my finger on it, I would have known something tremendous was missing in my life.

More than that, you all gave me purpose. You gave me something to care about other than myself when it was tempting to do just that. It is far too easy for us to get caught up in our own problems and be completely oblivious to the needs of everyone else around us. If there is one thing you have taught me, it is that I need to be more kind and generous to those around me. You never know how you could impact someone with just a kind word or a pat on the back. What you say and do can be the difference in them having a great day or a miserable day.

Without even knowing it, many of you did these things for me and I will be forever grateful for that. Every hello, smile, and head nod in the last two years was genuinely appreciated. They all reminded me that I was part of something important, that I had a responsibility to you and your parents, and that I owed you more effort than the day before. Now, I'd challenge you to make it a point to do those things purposefully in the future. It comes so naturally to so many of you, I can only imagine the impact you would all have on those around you with a conscious effort to turn it up a notch. Particularly, please extend that kindness to the kids you don't know as well or even like as much. They need friends too.

I'd also like to be clear that this doesn't just apply to the straight-A students and my Proud Panthers (all of which I'm extremely proud). I cared about every last one of you, even the most challenging class clowns and habitual sleepers. You also gave me purpose and many of you rose to challenges that I think surprised even you. And to those of you really struggling, you have given me plenty of reasons to be proud and I'm still pulling for you. You are all capable of so many great things. I fully intend to visit and come to some sporting events, so I look forward to getting updates from you all personally. I'm also leaving behind a lot of good friends that will still be teaching and coaching you, so I'll know if the updates you give me are accurate or not.

You have all meant so much more to me than I'll ever be able to express. Thanks again for being daily blessings in my life and I will miss you all.