Wednesday post: "The Student|Teacher Dynamic"
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Circling Back
Every teacher who has been at it for a few years has at least one story of a student that circles back over time to say hello. Perhaps that now-adult student shares a few stories about how a particular class project or blackboard talk made an impact on their life. And on occasion, such a student even shifts from calling you "Mr..." or "Mrs..." to that of "friend".
Such is the case with Blake who has shifted from 9th grade English student and soccer player the first year I was given a full-time classroom of my own while teaching/coaching in Dayton, OH in the mid-90's...
...to becoming a regular member of my life friend list now that he's holding down a professional career of his own, has mentored more recent students of mine, and continues to send word from various travel adventures he takes when his client list can wait.
Be Careful What You Ask For
I just received the following email from Blake, along with the following shot of him sitting next to the Bronco mascot of my central Maine high school that I graduated from 20 years ago:
To quote your email from January 30, 2008:
'If you really want to impress me and go way, way, way out of your way, drive to Bangor, Maine, but stop in the town just shy of it. Called Hampden. Stop at Hampden Academy, the joint that I called home from 9th to 12th grade. Take a shot of you in front of the old building and/or sign. I'll give you extra credit on your next 9th grade paper you turn in.'
Well....
P.S.
Well, indeed.
And I'm willing to offer him that extra credit just as soon as he turns in that Lord of the Flies essay he owes me.
(wink)
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