End-of-Year Letters
Posted by Debra Baker on May 25, 2009
Here are the end-of-the-year letters that I composed for Max and Sarah’s teachers. I wish that every parent would reflect on the specific strengths of their children’s teachers and then take the time to write to them. It took me about an hour (with Max and Sarah’s help) on this rainy Memorial Day morning, a worthwhile investment in time.
Dear Mrs. Willhoft,
I wanted to take the time to thank you for all that you have done for Sarah this year. I have watched her blossom in countless ways since last August when she first stepped into your classroom. I know how hard you have worked. When she crawls into bed, so excited to read her newest chapter book, or when she sits down to write a letter, I feel like I owe you a huge thank you, as we both know that this love of literacy does not magically happen for all kids.
Thank you for providing extra reading opportunities for her during Word Works, as those activities always seemed to stimulate her and to make her feel special.
Thank you for reading aloud the piece that she wrote about the Northwest Americans, as she came home bubbling with excitement over the fact that you recognized her hard work.
Thank you for your little notes/stickers on her behavior sheets, as well as for those times that you indicated that there was an issue in the classroom. These notes allowed me to open up communication with Sarah about her day and to help her work through any conflicts.
Thank you for responding so quickly and empathetically to my emails. The most recent example of that was when Sarah woke up so nervous about her computer lab test. I did not tell you at the time, but I deeply appreciated your reply.
Thank you for being flexible with me during my busy life as a working parent. I appreciated the fact that you rearranged snack time so that I could be there for Sarah’s birthday and that you accommodated my request to attend the symphony field trip. Those were moments that I will remember forever.
Thank you for always reassuring me that, despite some bumps, Sarah would, ultimately, emerge okay. You have no idea how much I appreciate that honesty and that reassurance. Thank you, too, for reminding me, without saying it outright, that my two children are different and the importance of remembering that.
Thank you for teaching Sarah the power of advocating for herself, for standing up for herself, and for resolving conflicts in a peaceful manner. I have definitely seen her grow in those areas, and I appreciate the fact that you have helped me raise a strong daughter. We may have to institute a “peace table” at home between she and Max. ☺
Thank you for all of those quiet things that you did for each one of the children, the extra steps that you took to assure that they each had a positive experience, the things that no parent ever even realizes. I am sure that there were millions.
Enjoy your summer. I hope it is peaceful and happy, and that you have some nice quality time with Sophia.
Love,
Debra Solomon Baker
(Here is the letter that Sarah wrote to Mrs. Willhoft)
Dear Mrs. Wilhoft,
Thanks for the wonderful year! There are sooooo many special memories I’ll never forget. I loved learning about people that lived long ago. Here are some smarties becase your so smart and some popcorn thats sweet just like you! Your a grate teacer I bet your new kids in third grade will love you!
Sincerely,
Sarah
—————–
Dear Mr. Heyman,
Wow. Congratulations on surviving your first year of teaching. Now you can take a deep breath.
I sometimes think that I would like to find my first group of students and apologize to them for being so clueless. I can tell you with utter sincerity that you would never have to apologize to Max Baker. He has admired you since that first day that he stepped into that jungle-themed classroom.
I know that you did not have an easy group this year, but I wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for Max. I have seen him grow in positive ways this year, and I know that that does not just magically happen.
Thank you for reminding Max, in quiet ways, about the importance of compassion. One example of how you did this was by partnering him with the new boy, Nuvonte. While that was difficult at times for Max, I think having that responsibility really helped him learn important lessons that cannot be taught through textbooks.
Thank you for all of your creative projects, including Cookie Continent and, of course the mealworms (Max just corrected me and told me that “mealworm” is one word ☺) Max also loves the reader’s theatre “As the Crow Flies” project, which the class is engaged in right now.
Thank you for insisting that Max work hard and produce high quality work. One example is how often you reminded him of the importance of legibility in his handwriting and for not allowing him to coast by with scribbles.
Thanks for nurturing Max’s creativity through projects like Harris Burdick, where he wrote a story based on the “Missing in Venice” photograph. Also, the book that he produced about Desmond (RIP), dedicated to his little sister, Sarah, is a treasure. We expect that he will show his grandchildren that one day.
Thank you for helping Max realize his leadership potential. You may not know this, but being chosen to represent Abraham Lincoln in that school-wide play was one of the highlights in Max’s school year, so I appreciate whatever you did to make this happen.
Thanks for never sending Max to “Antarctica,” even though I am sure that there were moments where you wanted to send all the “monkeys” there and just take a long nap.
Thanks, too, for your prompt and compassionate replies to my emails and for reassuring me, at conference time, that Max was producing exceptional work (and not to compare him to eighth graders).
Thank you for all of the things, of which I am sure there are thousands (Max said to write “millions or billions”), that you did for each of the students in your classroom every day. Most of what we do in this “business” goes unrecognized, but I, more than most, perhaps, realize that there is much “behind the scenes” work that you did to make this a smooth and successful year for Max and for the others under your watch. Thank you for nurturing them, for teaching them, and, most of all, for being a positive role model to them.
I know that Max will miss you over the summer. I hope you have a peaceful and happy summer and that you get to spend some quality time with your friends and family, as you gear up for year #2. Believe me when I tell you, by comparison, the second year will seem like a breeze.
Love,
Debra Solomon Baker
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