As I’ve stated before, I’m a teacher. Specifically, K-6 grade, which is nice, since the children talk and are interesting, and yet they can be a pain in the rear, as most any parent can agree. I love the kids, I love the work. I just wish they had a higher pitch when the spoke to me sometimes.
Anyways – I got a clue I might be building an interesting reputation. One of the kids handed out late Christmas presents today. The other teachers received exploding balls of scented something or other. Me? A cheap leatherman (it also came in a bigger gift-box, which gave me the chance to act like a bratty first-grader. As if I needed the excuse). I had to smile. Coming from a kid, and being singled out for something I’d personally enjoy, that meant a lot. Means I might be getting somewhere.
Best compliment though, came from a parent. I had built a very simple tic-tac-toe board with a first-grader (basically a hole carved out for the marbles and the lines carved into the wood). He finally finished (big project for a dude under four feet tall) and took it home excitedly. His father walked in the next day and said “You know, I have to thank you. I played tic-tac-toe with my son for two hours last night. Just played and talked. I haven’t done that in a while”. Then he shook my hand.
Just the joys of the job. And I got woodworking to thank for some of it. Happy New Year.
Whiskey.
10 comments so far
mot
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4903 posts in 934 days
posted 695 days ago
It’s nice when something special happens like that. Thanks for writing that story.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
rikkor
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11335 posts in 772 days
posted 695 days ago
Thanks for the uplifting story.
MsDebbieP
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14171 posts in 1059 days
posted 695 days ago
oh how wonderful.
You made a different. You can’t ask for anything more than that. Bravo!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Russel
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2063 posts in 837 days
posted 695 days ago
Great story. It’s most rewarding when you get to see that your work has a positive effect.
-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 860 days
posted 694 days ago
We seriously need good teachers like your self. Thanks for caring.
-- Thos. Angle
Mario
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882 posts in 949 days
posted 694 days ago
Too many people undersetimate the impact that teachers have in the lives of our Children. Thank you for your devotion to our future.
-- Hope Never fails
Karson
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25806 posts in 1298 days
posted 694 days ago
Great story and breakthrough into the life of a child and for his joy in showing it to his father, and for the father to show the appreciation.
Great paying it forward.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Douglas Bordner
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3427 posts in 962 days
posted 694 days ago
Thanks for being a teacher and for sharing your story. You have created a bright start to my day by sharing this.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
cajunpen
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5968 posts in 964 days
posted 694 days ago
Great story Whiskey and what a rewarding moment when that parent came in to thank you. Teachers are often under appreciated – I appreciate a good teacher, they do make a difference. Thank you for caring and sharing. Now about that name “Whiskey” for a K-6 teacher :-))
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Colin
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186 posts in 818 days
posted 690 days ago
Great story, I too am a woodwork teacher, its reallly great to receive positive comments from parents and kids. Its also great to see kids proud to take their own hand made models home. Its not unusual for me to meet former pupils who tell me they still have the box they made years ago! I work with kids from 12 to 18 years old. what age are the kids you work with?
keep up the good work.
Colin
-- Colin, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. "Every craftsman was once an amateur"