Sunday, March 1, 2015

Eleven years ago


I am excited to begin my 4th March Writing challenge at Two Writing Teachers! Thank you for all the wonderful people who work diligently to make this challenge happen every year. My life has changed so much since my first post four years ago. I am excited to see what changes this year's challenge will bring.

Eleven years ago my first students at my new school were graduating. I had survived my first year in a new school! I had met some amazing colleagues and determined students. A. came almost daily to my room to work on his independent writing project. He was writing the story of his family. It was a story of survival. It was a story of unbelievable survival.

A. and his family had come from a war torn country to America. Survival, broken families, death, violence, hope, crime, new beginning, adjustment, struggle, perseverance, determination are just a few words that would have applied to A.

Eleven years ago A. graduated. It was a joyous moment, but also a bittersweet as it meant saying goodbye to A. As A's sister still attended my school I was able to see A.occasionally for a few more years.

This past week I saw a police officer in our school office. My first reaction was, what has happened? Who is is trouble? I was really too busy to think much more deeper about the officer's presence at our school. I did, however, have to go talk to someone at the office. 

The officer was still there. He kept smiling at me. That was strange. As I started to walk away, I heard, "Ms. Terhune!"

That voice. I knew that voice. I turned and looked a bit more carefully. It was A! He was the police officer in the office! I had not seen A. in many years. I was so excited. Seeing him and the big hug that he gave me definitely made my day (let's be honest, it really made my week).

Unexpected encounters that bring surprise blessings with them!

16 comments:

  1. Isn't it a great feeling when you see that those kiddos who have stuck in your memory remember you as well?

    ReplyDelete
  2. My first class is graduating this year. I didn't realize how special it would be - it helps having my son in that class too! What a great moment for you, seeing your student serving his community. Thanks for making me smile today!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a happy story! Nice to actually see the success students achieve. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a happy story! Nice to actually see the success students achieve. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I got a tingly feeling. There are so many kids I wonder about. I'm glad you got a chance to see A. and know that you had a part in helping him become an important member of the community.

    ReplyDelete
  6. These are the moments that make teaching meaningful. I loved how you set up an element of suspense with your writing. I anticipated the officer might be your former student, and a smile spread across my face when your revealed his identity. Beautiful writing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. How wonderful! So often we don't know the impact we have on our students until something like this takes place.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You sound like a proud Mama! It's so wonderful when we can see that what we do, does makes a difference. So glad you were able to reconnect.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your slice about such a positive emotional encounter makes me smile. I love how the slice is also a story of a young boy who against the challenges grows into a fine man.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A wonderful story of hope! A blessing for you and now a blessing for us ash you shared it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yay! What a wonderful ending - I was worried at first that it was going to be bad news - I'm so glad it ended happily!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jaana, what a wonderful story of hope. I am so glad to be participating with you once again in this writing challenge. You are a lovely, inspirational writer.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Moments like this make a teacher's life - it's what our job is all about.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, how neat! As I read, I was wondering why you were thinking of 11 years ago (instead of a rounder number, like 5 or 10), and then what a fun surprise! I can't wait to keep connecting with you this month, Jaana!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a great blessing for you to see this former student so grown up and such a contributor to making the world better. No doubt you helped him along he path he has chosen!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Please stop by again.