A Gr. 4 teacher had a boy in her class named Teddy. She noticed that throughout the year, he became very quiet and withdrawn from his classmates. He slept during class time and struggled with his work. She thought of calling in his parents, but decided to wait.

The time came at the end of the year when she had to write a progress report for all the learners in her class. She decided to leave Teddy’s one for last as she wanted to read up on what his previous teachers from the lower grades had to say about him.

One by one she read through each report :  

His Gr. 1 teacher wrote: ” Teddy is a wonderful child to have in my class. He participates well and interacts with his classmates.

Gr.2 teacher wrote: ”Teddy is a lovely child and he takes pride in his work.” He interacts with his classmates and is developing well inspite of his mother’s illness.

Gr.3 teacher wrote: ” Teddy is achieving well, inspite of his mother’s death. He is coping with the work, but has withdrawn from his classmates.

Upon reading this, the Gr.4 teacher finally understood Teddy’s situation.

At the end of the year, Teddy brought a Christmas present along to school to give to her. It was wrapped in a plastic bag and the other kids laughed it. The teacher opened it and it was a braclet with a few stones missing, and a half a bottle of perfume. The teacher loved the gift, but thought it quite odd…but didn’t say anything about it. She immediately dabbed some perfume onto her neck. This made Teddy very happy..

When Teddy was in Gr.9, he decided to write his Gr.4 teacher a letter and slipped it under her door..It said:

“Thank you so much for everything that you did for me. That Christmas gift I gave you was my mother’s braclet and perfume. She wore it the last time I saw her. You really helped me remember her. Thank you.”

Every 3 or 4 years, Teddy would write to her and tell her about what he is doing and how she had influenced his life.

The last letter she recieved was an invite to his wedding. He wanted her to sit at the parent’s table..where his mother would have sat..She was honoured! And on that special day, she made sure she wore the same perfume his mom used to wear and also wore his mom’s braclet.

Towards the end of the evening, Teddy thanked her again for everything she did for him and for not giving up on him during that terrible time in his life. And she replied:

“Teddy, do you know what? Before I met you, I wasn’t a teacher…It was only until I met you, that I became one! I must be thanking you!”

What I took from this story, was that, teaching is more than just teaching facts out of a textbook…It’s all about making a difference in the children’s lives..and it doesn’t always have to be academic. This story really warmed my heart because this is the kind of teacher I’d like to be. Kind and loving towards her children and offer any kind of support.

This story also inspired me to study harder so that I may know the kid’s in my class and be able to understand their problems..

Oh..and it encouraged me to attend ALL my classes!!

I was running well at one stage..then it all went haywire. My sister, who was behind my mom and I, was in distress..Her glasses fell off her face while she was running and it broke..that meant she couldn’t see! haha shame…

So, instead of running ahead and going for a record breaking time, I decided to stay with my sister..to help her through the race. It was quite funny. She couldn’t talk much because she was so tired and of course..her eyesight failed her..So I said she mustn’t talk.. just blink to answer..once for yes, twice for no and three times for maybe haha at least that made her smile! mmm or was it a grimace? 

We had only 5 km to go and my sister was battling..my mom too. But we stuck together and crossed the finishing line together holding hands.

For me, this was more than just running a race..it was an opportunity for me to get closer to my sister. It’s something that I have struggled with in the past.

So today wasn’t about beating your ‘opponent’ or running a PB (personal best time), but family bonds in my case..bonds that were never really fully developed.

I am glad that I was able to offer my encouragement and support to my mom and sister. We wanted to show the fellow runners that it’s sometimes not always necessary to run your best time in every race. You have to allow yourself to enjoy the sport every once in a while. Even if it means running your worst time! But hey…at least I was surrounded by my family

Then one day the same boy came to me and said: “Teacher, my brain is sore”. Shame man, I realised that he might have a headache. And then he said “it feels like someone is stabbing me”. Aww shame! I felt so bad because I just burst out laughing!

There is never a dull moment when you work with children.They really can make your day…in the most simpliest of ways

So?…what are you waiting for? Off you go