Skip to main content

SOLSC: A Visit: Part 2 - 19/31

The Slice of Life Story Challenge 
is hosted by the Two Writing Teachers.

A Visit: Part 2


     Part 1

A previous student I taught over six years ago visits year after year.  I'm delighted every time she stops by because she is open, shares about her life -- the achievements, the struggles, high school life in general . . . sometimes more than I wanted to hear.

In January, she showed up at my door.  We chatted about school.  We chatted about sports. We chatted about the possibility of her observing and volunteering here next year.  We chatted about Purdue, her dream school.  We chatted about her new job serving elderly grandparents their dinner, even though they never seemed to be happy with anything she serves.  We just chatted and chatted about anything and everything for over an hour.

On the way out, she mentioned that she loved writing because of me.  Wow.  Never saw that coming.  Then she matter-of-factly stated that she isn't the writer she used to be and she has a huge research paper that she has to write this semester.

"Well, if you would like me to read your paper, let me know.  You can email it to me and I'd be happy to review it for you.  Just be sure not to wait until the day before it's due!" I said half-jokingly.


Fast forward two months . . . TWO days before the research paper is due.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
8:25 pm
Email Inbox
Re: Research Paper

"So the research paper is due Friday and I'm almost done. I was wondering if you had any time during the day tomorrow that I could stop by and you could possibly read it.  Thanks!"
Labels:

Comments

  1. Donna SmithMarch 19, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Well, you saw that coming!
    But how special to have a student you have made an impact on (oh, dear, a preposition...I should rewrite that.).

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 19, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    That's great that you've developed such a close relationship like that with one of your students that she can come and talk to you years later. That's always so encouraging to hear students tell you that they enjoy to write because of you!! :) How did reviewing the research paper go?
    --jee young

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linda BMarch 19, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Umm-it's still a compliment, but they do procrastinate, don't they? It's like those recommendations when they say, "I need it tomorrow, is that okay?" Was it a good report?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Diana MartinMarch 19, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    They always leave things to the last second! Your retelling of the email made me chuckle. How cool that she continues to see you as someone who had a significant impact on her.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Popular posts from this blog

Picture Books I Love Right Now! #pb10for10

Check out other favorite Picture Book Lists #pb10for10 ______________________________________________________________ As we finish up our summer #cyberPD conversations, I'm quickly reminded that August is right around the corner and I need to start thinking about my picture book list to share. Ten books I love. Ten books I want to share. Ten books that I can't live without in my classroom. Ten books. I love coming up with lists of picture books I adore for various reasons. However, this year I came up with the most brilliant idea! (Well, at least I thought it was brilliant!)  Here are the picture books I can't live without  ... because these are the LAST 10(+3)  picture books I most recently purchased!  ______________________________________________________________ 1.  If I Built a School   by Chris Van Dusen My daughters read If I Built a House and If I Built a Car over and over and over. They couldn't wait to read thi...
11 comments
Read more

{#sol15} deeper than beauty 8/31

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! I have twin four and a half -- almost five! -- year old daughters.  I try to be consciously aware of what I say and do in regards to my body image and self-esteem and also with their body image and self-esteem. First of all, because I don't want them to believe everything that society says is true.  Even if they don't fully understand it today.  In addition, because they are fraternal twin sisters, I want them to understand they are individuals with unique and different bodies that God created for each of them.   However, society -- including my loving family and friends -- tell a different story and harmlessly create a comparison war.   My girls constantly hear how beautiful, adorable, cute, fill-i...
35 comments
Read more

An Interview with Educator/Momma/Writer Ruth Ayres Celebrating #EnticingWriters + Giveaway!

I love sharing book titles with close friends, so I'm happy you are here! I want to share a book that you must add to your to-be-read list. Ruth Ayres has a brand new book titled  Enticing Hard-To-Reach Writers   published by Stenhouse Publishers. It's another must read from Ruth. There are many professional development books available to learn about mastering our craft of teaching.   However, there are only a few that make a true impact -- and this is one book that weaves raw truth, research, practical ideas, and story all in one {cute} little package.  In  Enticing Hard-To-Reach Writers , Ruth allows her worlds to collide during the creation:  "In this book, I entwine my three story lines as educator, momma, and writer." (p. 6) And she does this in an amazing way through sharing stories of her family, adoption, children living in hard places -- and doing their best  -- and healing. She shares how we can use research ...
26 comments
Read more