Genuine appreciation for a tough year of teaching. Yesterday morning I’m just getting started, taking roll, getting the lunch count (you know how it is), the daily grind, and one of my students comes in late and asks me to step outside.
I was pretty busy, so I asked her to wait a minute.
After I took care of some business, threw away a couple paper airplanes, got the gum off my shoe (you know how it is), I finally told the class, “Excuse me, I’ll be right back. Don’t stab anyone with a pencil.”
I stepped outside and the student’s mom is holding a surfboard. I didnt’ think much about it at the time. I figured the student wanted to show one of her dad’s surfboards to the class (he makes them and makes them well).
I said, “That’s a nice board.”
Then, the student said, “It’s for you.” My whole class pitched in and had a board made for me. It’s 9,4 and 22.5 wide, down rails, narrow tail, side bites and center fin box, a lightweight performance longboard. I don’t have a performance longboard, so this should be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to try it. It’s very light and super cool. The students all signed a piece of rice paper under the glass.
Having been a high-school teacher, I must say that you scored BIG dude! you must be one heck of a teacher to convey the passion a surfer has into those kids, only to have it reflected back from all their hearts. Stay stoked!
You’ve gotta show them pics of you surfing the board; it would get them psyched for summer!
Makes all the faculty meetings, parent conferences, late night preps, sleepless nights wondering if you could have handled little “Jimmy’s” problem better, low pay,irrational mom or dad, asshole administrators,etc. worth it. Doesn’t it? You must have touched them pretty deeply to have them reach back in such a bitchen way. Good job and hope you stay in the profession.Mike
What an honor man! Glad you shared with us. At age seven my daughter decided to be a teacher because her 2nd grade teacher had a profound impact on her. I figured she would change her mind over the years and decide upon another path, but she stayed determined all through school. She is currently finishing her first year as a 5th grade teacher. I surprised her with a visit to her class a few months ago and it was way cool to see her living her dream. All a result of one teacher who influenced a life.
So perhaps a lesson derived here for us: Follow your own personal path to find your true purpose (your God given gifts show you the way), then spend your life dedicated to task. We never know what lives we touch.
