Are you cringing? That title - it's the worst! It makes every teacher and grammar Nazi whip out their red pen. And it's even more horrible if you're both - like I am. (Did you know that stores do not appreciate it when you try to alert them to an errant apostrophe?) I figured that title would get your attention, though.
Teachers get little notes from their students quite a bit throughout the school year. Drawings with sweet little thoughts written on them adorn our bulletin boards. Handwritten messages crafted by adorable little humans are sometimes what keep us going. And often those messages have one sentiment.
"Your my favorite teacher ever!"
Do we NOT teach them the difference between your and you're? OF COURSE WE DO! We also teach them their, there, and they're and two, to, and too - as well as a host of other VITAL concepts in language arts! But I'm getting off track.
The idea that we are those little cherubs' favorite teacher is sweet as sweet can be. It's genuine and heartfelt. And it'll change. They'll find a new favorite next year or the year after. It's almost a sure thing.
That's ok. I even tell my kids that. Little Bobby will say to me, "You're my favorite teacher ever!" I'll thank him and let him know that next year's teacher will be his favorite, too. Little Bobby denies it, (Little Bobby gets brownie points for the schmooze!) but it will most likely happen. And that's ok.
These notes hold a special place in every teacher's heart. Who doesn't like to be told they're someone's favorite?
I've taught for more than a couple of decades now. I've seen a lot of these notes. "Your the best!" "Your a good teacher!" "Your awsome!" (Doubly painful!) I've even had a brutally honest kid write to me, "Your my second favorite teacher." Whoa. That's kind of like a smack down with a complimentary pick-me-up! But I loved it still. It was real.
One of the best notes I've ever received from a student was so different. It didn't state that I was the greatest or a favorite or anything like that. It was more substantive than that.
I don't know what piece of this note hits me hardest. Is it the fact that she dreaded school before? Is it the fact that she didn't dread school now? Is it the fact that she self-corrected and turned m-a-c-e into make? I can't pinpoint the exact reason I love this note.
But I do.
Its my favorite.
*Author's apology for the purposeful grammatical error.
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