I opened my Facebook to find that someone I admired dearly had passed away.
Thanks to blogging, I've met some amazing people who have truly touched my life. And Jason was someone I was drawn to because of how he talked about kids. He was a 5th grade teacher and he loved his kids. One of my favorite conversations with him he blogged about....it was the night before the first day of school and he had blogged about how he had butterflies and was so excited. I commented and said "I have to say that I LOVE that you get nervous before the first day of school.......that tells me two things....
One--you don't take for granted what you do. And I love that it come through with sleepless nights and butterflies in your stomache.
Second---you get your kids....you get that they are nervous as well. And excited :)
Those fifth graders only have one first day of fifth grade. You only have one first day of your 8th year of teaching....how cool is that?
I'm sure it will be amazing because I'm sure you wouldn't have it any other way! :)
The next day his blog started with this:
One of the best parts about school today was a comment I got from a fellow blogger who said, “Those fifth graders only have one first day of fifth grade. You only have one first day of your 8th year of teaching....how cool is that?”
And the next day, his blog started like this:
It got me to thinking.
I thought about it all the way to school.
And that's how it all began.....he and I had comments and emails and gifts exchanged via snail mail.....and many, many, many times he reminded me that I'm good at working with my kids and that I am making a difference.
I sent him a shirt once....it reminded me of him .......it was one of our Boys & Girls Club shirts. Said BE GREAT on the front and On the back it said BE INDEPENDENT. BE CLEVER. BE CURIOUS, FUNNY, BOLD, SINCERE, AMAZING, SMART, AWESOME, POSITIVE, HAPPY and most importantly BE GREAT.
He loved it and sent me a few photographs over the years, my favorite from Central Park.
My heart is so sad. Mostly for his kids. Every single kid who has had the opportunity to be inspired to be great.
If you know me, you'll read this blog and get why I felt we were kindred spirits. http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2012/05/starfish.html
