One of many portraits I've had drawn for me over the years!

     There are not many professions in which you can say that you receive love notes from your "clients" at work every day.  That's one cool perk about being a teacher.  
     Children love to write notes and draw pictures for their teachers.  The pictures are so sweet, and their words are precious.  Each little written gesture is a true gift, and these notes certainly come from the heart.
    A few years ago, I decided to put a little wooden "mailbox" on my desk.  I explained to my students that if they ever had something to tell me that was difficult to say, they could write me a note and put it in my mailbox.  They also knew that if they wanted to tell me something, but I was busy during the school day, they could write to me, and when I had a moment, I would call them over and talk to them.

     Students would write to me to tell me that they needed their seat changed, or if someone was bothering them on the bus.  I have gotten little notes that told me that they didn't understand the math or that their dog was sick.  I've gotten countless notes from students just saying hello to me.  Whatever the notes have said, this little mailbox has opened the door for so many meaningful conversations with my students.  When I take a moment to talk with them about something that is on their mind, they know that I care about them and that I hear them and will do whatever I can to help.

     I found the above note in my mailbox after two of my students had an incident at recess.  They were both very angry, and it got physical between the two.  Although I spoke with the girls about what had happened, they both had a difficult time expressing themselves because they were still so angry.  When I found this letter in my box later in the day, it was pretty remarkable.  This 9 year old girl was able to write down her feelings, her desire to talk about it, and her apology for not doing the right thing.  Our conversation after I received this note was incredibly genuine, reflective and productive.  It was pretty powerful.

A note to me written by a student who had a very difficult time trusting his teachers.
This note has been hanging on my refrigerator since the day I received it.  It meant the world to me.  

     This year, I read about another teacher who put out little papers that said, "I wish Mrs. _______ knew..."  These papers were specifically intended to reach the students who had things going on in their home life that they might want to share with their teacher.  I decided to give it a try.  The response was mind blowing to me!  I thought I knew my students, but there were so many things that they shared with me that I had no idea they were going through.  They opened up in a way that made them so vulnerable- it truly humbled me.  The conversations that I have had with each student after he/she trusted me with such personal information were just so special.  It was as if, in that very moment,  our relationship had gone to a deeper, more meaningful place.  They were able to trust me, and I never judged them or looked at them differently.  I just reassured them that they were going to be ok and that I was always there if they needed to talk.  And a hug never hurt!

This student had the guts to tell me that her parents were separated.  It was the first time she ever told anyone.

     Of course, on most days I get the most adorable happy notes!  Even after all these years, they still brighten my day!

       

If this doesn't make your day, nothing will!

I could wallpaper my classroom with all of the pictures of my dog, Maggie that I've received over the years! I love them all.  xoxo

     Some letters, like the one below, are written by the children at home, and they put a great deal of time and thought into writing them.  I have saved every one of those extra special notes.  They bring me great joy to know that at one moment, I was someone special in another person's life.

A note from a very special student.
I love how shocked she was that I was related to my son, Tommy (who was her friend).
Lol!

xoxo