Dear Teacher

Chel Owens

Dear Smile Fingers,
I sleep in my bed with Blankie and not in the car turned around so I couldn’t see you until Milk Hands took me out and said hi and buh-bye and you leaned in and said I’ve gotten fat and you don’t know where my brother is oh no you don’t and bed is good but the car is gooder.

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Dear Mrs. Smith,
Mom made me pull out all my school clothes, she put them in a box. She said [in a Mom voice] “We aren’t going to use these, so we may as well pack them up.” Then she made me put away the stuff from my desk we got from you. You remember when we went to your house and threw candy at you? [laughs] I don’t know where to put my folders so I put them under the bed but don’t tell Mom. I miss when you read to us but not when you made me put my book away.

—–

Dear Teacher,
I only know a little about you; from the e-mails you send, the Zoom meetings I overhear, and the morning videos you share every day. I spoke to you forever ago, at carpool pickup after school, but never appreciated what you did before that time.
Most days, I can’t get my son to get off the floor if he’s determined to melt there. Yet, every day; you taught him, motivated him, got him to work, and loved him. Your stinkeye is legendary.
As I tucked my baby into bed, I remembered how you smiled and talked to him at pickup. As we folded the school clothes and sorted the school folders, I remembered the school conferences and class parties you held. You were surrounded by noise and chaos but thrived and guided so all those children also thrived.
You’re amazing -I thought you should know.
I’m not sure what to tell you, as normal keeps getting put off till later, except for, “Thank you.” Thank you for the magic you performed for every person for every day. I know you’ll get to do it again; will you stick around till the baby’s old enough?
Anyway, thank you. And sorry about the candy-throwing.

 

Written for the teachers.

©2020 Chelsea Owens

21 thoughts on “Dear Teacher”

  2. Pretty awesome of you. I’m sure Mrs. Smith appreciates the affirmation. My class of 45 boys and 15 girls had the dubious distinction of causing more early retirements than any other class in our small town.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. So glad to see the teacher getting some love. I regularly encouraged parents to come into our class when I was teaching to volunteer. They’d usually stay an hour or two. The most frequent comment I’d get as they were leaving was, “I don’t know how you do this each day.”

    For all of the difficult challenges you face, there are moments of pure joy. Getting hugs from your students every day doesn’t hurt either.😊

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I enjoyed the different perspectives. Such confusing times. So much to learn – especially in appreciation for each other and what we had/have.

    Liked by 1 person

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