Today was grueling. I promised myself I wouldn't mention the "T" word (tired), since that seems to be the 1st thing EVERY DAY that comes out of my mouth when people ask how I am. I must sound like a broken record. Anyway, I did pretty well not mentioning it, until last period when I slipped twice. They're my chattiest class, and I keep shushing them, and feeling/sounding crabby.....
Anyway, I came home to this message on FaceBook:
Ms.Cookie,
I am not sure if you remember me or not but I am an ex-student of yours. I was in your Pre-Cal class at ***** in the 06-07 school year. I'm the guy that never did homework. I failed your class by one point actually.
Anyway, I'm just writing you to let you know that despite sucking at math in high school (and just doing bad in general), I'm majoring in math now at *******. Well, physics and math. I guess it just took me a little longer for me to realize that doing homework helps one understand things. So thanks for not passing me, it helped me change a few things about myself and I'm doing better now!
Now off to bed smiling and uplifted.
Letters like that are what keeps me going. Congrats on a job well done.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Congratulations.
ReplyDeletebtw, just noticed that we've been teaching the exact same length of time. And the same thing. Must have been a good year for new math teachers.
I think Kim from Math Tales from the Spring is in the same class...
Jonathan
Wow, I've had lots of emails and letters from former students, but never one thanking me for failing them!
ReplyDeleteI know the tired feeling. I have been beyond tired for the last couple of weeks. Because my eyes have been watering and I've been coughing for the last four weeks, I am convinced that this overwhelming fatigue is allergy related. Maybe you have the same crap in the air in Austin that we do here?
Funny thing is that last year, same exact tired feeling came over me in September and lasted several months. I chalked it up to everything being new last year, but this year it is back. I really need to see an allgergist and see if my suspicions are correct.
Ooh, good teacher vibes :), hopefully we'll last as long as Pissed Off and continue to enjoy teaching.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's interesting about allergies ... I never thought about that. And it could be exacerbated by the fact that NOW I'VE WOKEN UP AT 3:30am and can't go back to sleep and have decided to grade. Blach.
Ms. Cookie
Wow, awesomeness to the tenth degree. Get that made into a poster and hang it in your classroom! I wonder how long I'll have to wait before I get an email and I can make a poster...
ReplyDeleteSam
It's funny how the most uplifting emails from former students always come when you most desperately need it! :) (ARE THEY WATCHING US??) Keep your chin up!
ReplyDelete