15. When parents say thank-you.

This we believe (NMSA, 2010).

*The school actively involves families in the education of their children. Family Involvement

We are testing this week. I monitor my students as they navigate technology and as they analyze excerpts from stories, poetry, history, and mathematical problems. Once they finish, I hand them a book of their choosing as they wait patiently for their classmates. After testing, they play Uno together, draw pictures on the board, or paint. It is a peaceful, cohesive moment as we wait for the entire school to reach the end of the exams.

This morning, we received an email from an elementary teacher whose daughter is graduating. She wrote the open letter to all teachers, perhaps to remind us of how precious children are to their parents. I asked her if I could post it here. It is the kind of letter I wish every parent could write. It reminds me that we should all carry the torch to help our students find their moment, their passions, their dreams.

As we enter into the last days of our daughter, Anna's, school career as a student of McDowell County Schools, Lamar and I wanted to take a moment and thank you all for the impact you have had in Anna's education and in the lives of our family.  

Old Fort Elementary, you took this five-year-old baby...who threw up every day the first week of school...and you nurtured her and held her and loved her until she felt comfortable enough to be there...you held her and loved her through the death of both of my parents..her grandparents...allowing her the time to grieve...yet still holding her to the highest expectations and not allowing her to stay stuck in her grief.  You differentiated for this kid who had unbelievable math skills...yet, HATED reading...and you told her that was ok...and you challenged her to be the best in everything she did...You gave her roots and made her proud of the place she calls home...you gave her opportunities to build her leadership skills and encouraged her to find her niche.  And we  celebrated with tears of pride and gratitude with her as she returned "home" yesterday...thank you for the  foundation you laid for her.  You were the building blocks that held her education steadfast and everything else was built on.  We will forever be grateful for all that you did for Anna and also for us.

To the faculty and staff at West McDowell "junior high" Middle school...it seems not too long ago that we brought Anna to open house...made her run through her schedule about five times, so that she wouldn't get lost on the first day of school...and reassured her that there was no elevator or swimming pool...that people sent hopelessly lost  seventh graders in search of ...only to find that there was indeed an elevator...we celebrated with her as she made the volleyball team, then the basketball team, and finally the softball team...and then began helping her to learn to balance her schedule to accommodate practice times and balance that with continuing to make good grades...you helped us navigate her teenage years and walked through the times where she was so unsure of herself making us unsure of ourselves as well.  You introduced her to band, to FCA, and other clubs that began to fit her personality. In addition to all the academic areas you exposed her to, you helped her to see that you were there to support her as she tried to live out her faith among her friends.  In awarding her the Patterson award in the ninth grade, you validated for Anna that people do see the things you do when you think no one is watching. It was at West that she accepted God's call to teach.  Thank you for that.

And finally, to the faculty and staff at McDowell High School...wow...here we are...about to embark on another leg of Anna's journey. As an elementary teacher, it is unfathomable to me how you deal daily with all of the needs of all of your students. Yet you do it with grace and commitment, and I thank you for that.  It was at MHS that Anna's Christian walk deepened.  She was able to be real and accepted and valued for the person she is, and it meant so much to her.  Whether it was in the classroom, the volleyball court or the softball field, you allowed her to be herself and never felt pressure to be something she wasn't.  Not many high school students can say that.  Her leadership skills continued to be developed and she blossomed into the young lady she is now.  You did that, and we will forever be indebted to you for all you did for Anna.  As she leaves in the fall for Appalachian State University, she will carry the advice you have all given her and she will succeed...because you have prepared her to do so.

So we say thank you for all you have done.  Though your value has no price tag, what you have done for our family is immeasurable.  

--
Beth L. Silver
Second Grade Teacher
Glenwood Elementary School