So, this may be a little self-serving, but paper gets lost fast in my house, and I don’t want to lose this.  Back in September, hell, back in JUNE, when it was becoming obvious that my program was the dumping ground for kids whose parents just didn’t give a shit, for the most part, I started chanting, "Kids First" in my head.  i wrote about it, way back in August, but the year has gone on, sucking as far as adults are concerned, but always, KIDS FIRST.  I was just telling Deb that when I look back on the last year, while everything was crumbling around us, I know that I succeeded in putting Kids First. And that’s good enough for me.

One of the things that we do in multi is have kids write two letters at the end of the year.  One to themselves, that we send in August, and one to their favorite teacher, which we send now.  We tell them that it can be anyone, even if its from another school, and we send them.  This year, of my 38 kids (36 participated, because 2 of our kids, while on our rosters, spend the day elsewhere) I got TEN.  Even more surprising, I didn’t get them from the 3 kids I expected them from — Kaitling, A, and S.  Instead, they wrote to others — one to Deb, one to the school nurse, and I’m not sure about A.  Maybe because they are always telling me I’m their favorite, they decided to make someone else’s day . . .and that’s totally fine with me.  Anyway, behind the cut, are the content of my letters.  Bear in mind that my room was the misfits, the majority of SED kids, all of the autistic kids, for instance, and none of the high-achievers.  Their grammar may be poor, but it’s the thought that counts.  It will also give you a good idea of the kids we DID get in our room.

Dear Mrs. S,

Well S this has been a tough year this year.  It’s going to be a lot harder once you leave but its going to be harder trying to adapt inot a new school.  I hope you do good in school and will have a good time.  I hope you pass through all your class you are taking.  And I hope you like helping out with the computers.  I don’t want you to leave at all.  None of us do but you have to do what you have to do. So we’ll understand.  I’d like to thank you for your help on bringing my math and science grade up.  Because last year and the beginning of the year I wasn’t doing that great.  Cause I was at a D in math and science but now I’m at an A in math and B in Science which I’m very happy with.  So thank you very much with that.  So I hope you do a good job in school and keep in touch.  Sincerely, A.A. (8th grader)

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Dear Mrs S,

Thank you for everything you have done for me in the past year(s). You have taught me so much.  Do you remember 5th grade you read us Matilda and brought in hot chocolate for us to sip on while reading.  (note: This wasn’t me.  I was a practicum student in her class, yes, but she refuses to believe that I wasn’t the Matilda-readint one.  For longtime readers, this is Lil’ Miss UTI that I wrote about 2 years ago.) You have been a wonderful teacher and I just can’t believe you wont be back next year along with the multiage classroom, I wish you have better times then you ever will have in a million years.  Your student always, B.J.

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Dear Mrs. S,

I just wonted you to know how mean you are and how much i hate your guts…….. ok i don’t hate your guts but someitmes you make me mad but every 1 gets me mad ot one point of time well were all gonna miss you but i think ur gonna find something better than [townname] some thing that a person with our know abouts should like so good luck and if you see me driving a dirtbike or flipping a 4 wheeler just stop and say hi. And thank you for dealing with me i can b a pain in the (   Y   ) – its a butt.   — the smartest kid ever, J.E.

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Dear Mrs. S.

Thank You for being a great teacher.  You helped me improve my math grades.  I always felt comfterble to talk to you when I had problems with math or just others in the classroom.  Your a GREAT teacher.  My sister [note: sis is a 6th grader who wanted me next year]and mother wish you were still here next year cause they both like you very much.  My sister wishes you were still going to be leading NJHS and Science Club.  You are really nice and we’re all going to miss you very much!  Sincerly, M.M.

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Dear Mrs. S,

THANK YOU for all of the help you have done for me like helping me in math because sometimes i really struggle with math and science when i needed help you always help me if i needed it and when ever i needed help.
I will miss you a lot Mrs. S have a good time at your new job but i wish you would still be here so i can come and visit you nexted year.
And i’m glad you started a Science club because the Challenger Learning Center was AWESOME.  I will miss you SO much.  Bye Mrs S, Love S.R.  P.S. Sorry I spelled your name wrong on the envelop. [note: every ‘Mrs. S" I put in was a different — and wrong — spelling of my name. The envelope name was wrong, in a different way, too.]

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DEAR mrs. s,

You have byn a great teacher these past 10 months.  I am so gald i ended up in multyage. If i wouldnt have byn in this class i wouldn’t know you as well as i do.  I think that everyone agreses with me when i say that it is not going to be the same without you here next year.  We are realy sad that you are moving. 
I hope that you had a good year. I know I did.
I hope that you like were ever you are going to be next. And I hope you have a GREAT summer.  Sincerely, A.D.

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Mrs. S,

Hey!  I can’t believe this year has gone by so fast! I still remember the first day of school.  I always thought that you were going to be really strict and mean.  But, as the year when by, I relized that you were actually a really cool teacher.  Your not only a teacher to me, but your also my friends! =D Everyone in the class can just go up to you and just talk to you about anything!! I have always wanted a teacher like that and this year I got it!! I can’t beleive your leaving next year, it just won’t be the same without you!!  You were the COOLEST teacher ever!! Next year will be really boring because you won’t be there to make it fun.  I’m just extremely glad that I was in your class this year.  During science you always helped everyone. And you actually made this boring old science class really fun!!  It turned out to be one of my favorite subjects because of you!! Thank you SO mych!!  I never thought science could be so much fun!! Like disecting frogs, I was dreading the day it came.  Looking at the insides of frogs wasn’t one of the things on my list of *Things to do.*  But that day did come, and it was SO much fun!! As I got started cutting open the frog I said to myself "This isn’t bad at all!!!" Ha-Ha! I was so looking forward to being in your homeroom next year!! But the day that Mrs. C and you told us that you wouldn’t be coming back next year, I was so upset!! But anyways, I really hope you come back to visit!! So i’m writing this letter to you, to tell you how much you mean to me and how much you have taught me! Thank you SSOO much!! And I’ll miss you a TON!! Love, S. B. <3* I’ll miss you next year!

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Dear Mrs. S,

Hey!!! WOw this year has been an interesting and fun year!! You made learning TONZ of fun!! You are such a great teacher i wish you would be here next year!!  Dissecting frogs was very interesting but it wasn’t as bad as i thought it was going to be!! You always had a smile on your face and was like a friend to everyone!! If you ever teach again those kids will have the time of there lives and they will also be the luckiest kids alive! You always had a way of making something serious funny and enjoying. It is going to be really different next year without you here to talk and see everyday. I hope you have an amazing summer and a great life!! Miss you a TON next year!! Love always, *A*R*

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Dear Mrs S,

How do I begin.  These last 2 years of you being here at [townname] really made me happy.  Many people I know would like to thank you for being a good person to everyone in 7/8 Multiage.  There are a couple things i would like to thank you for.  One being a good math teacher.  You made a big difference in my math. Math was so much complicated to me. But you made things a lot better for me.  So thank you.  Also I would like to thank you for when I had some hard times at [townname] and I could turn to you for a big amount of support.  Knowing that if I dealed with it the right way. You would be there for me 100%. So thank you.
Many people thought you were a grouch because either you were not fair all the time. Or because you never had any fun. But deep down inside you are a really sweet and funny person. You made things a lot easier for me at [townname] Middle School.

When I heard that you were leaving what really stuck my mind was the fact that no matter what you were my all time favorite teacher.  I remember when in math I could be the most mad or upset person and you could say something and that Frown on my face would turn right up side down. 🙂

I wish that you could stay at [townname] because I know that I would not be here but at least I could come in and visit sometimes.

So this letter is a Big Thank You letter so you do realize that evern when you are gone there is many people at [townname] School that will remember you.  Because you know what…… I always will!!!!!! — Your Student, C.B.

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Dear Mrs S,

Thank you for always being there to help me with my work and personal problems it means a lot to me to have some one i can talk to that isn’t going to laugh at what i have to say about everything.  You have been there for me when i am realy angery and tried to find out what the problem is.  You like a lot of the same things us kids like.  You are definatly the coolest teacher i’ve ever had.  It has been grate having you as a teacher and i hope to see you again have a grate summer and life miss you.  senceriouly, B.C.