Today we found out that a beloved teacher of our school passed away after a long fight with cancer.
To say that this Teacher was special is an understatement. Every year when parents found out that their kids were going to be in her class a giant sigh of relief was heard.
My own daughter was lucky enough to be in her class. At the beginning of that school year my husband and I went to open school night. One of the first things this teacher said was "I love to teach. I love teaching the fourth grade." she said this with a huge smile and eagerness. It was infectious. she then told us how she would push and challenge our kids to learn, but that they would have a great time doing so.
They did.
This teacher quickly became my Daughter's favorite teacher.
This teacher was patient and kind and opened new worlds for the children. She was excited to teach which in turn made the kids excited to learn. There was something about her that made you strive to try harder and do better. The kids wanted to do well at first for her because she expected them to always try their best, but then they did well because they wanted to learn. They wanted to explore and soon discovered that they did indeed love science and math. They wanted to do better because she made it fun for them.
At the end of the year the kids were sad to leave, and she was sad too, but she was excited for them to continue their journey. She was always interested and overjoyed to hear of their successes. This year many of her old students were inducted into the Junior Honor Society ( my own J included). She would have been so proud.
Once in a life time one comes across a teacher that we remember forever. She was that teacher for these kids. Teaching was what she was meant to do. She was the absolute best at it.
Today my kids were told of her passing. They came home with heavy hearts.
Tonight at dinner we prayed for her family asking God to comfort them in what is certainly the worst time of their lives.
As I write this I feel that we should not think of how she left this world but celebrate this wonderful woman's life. We should give thanks that she chose to teach and entered our children's lives; and because of her their lives were enriched, and blest for having known her.
Dear Sweet Teacher, As you fly with the angels we know you take the children's love and ours with you. We will miss you so much. The Children you taught will always have a part of you with them.
You can rest now Mrs. N. ... the kids you loved and who love you will take it from here.
