When Students Return as Adults #SOL19

Two weeks ago, a former student, Casey, emailed me to ask if I’d mind if he visited for a day to observe my classroom.  He is taking an early childhood education class and needed to observe teacher-student and student-student interactions.

Yesterday was the day he visited.  What a treat it was to spend the day with him!  My mind kept comparing Casey the third grader to Casey the adult.  He was an intelligent and shy, quiet child.  He was always polite, well-behaved, and well-liked by the other students.  Today he is an intelligent, confident young man.  He is still polite and well-liked by his peers.  He has a wife and child, coaches wrestling, has a party supply business, and attends school to become a teacher.  Obviously, he is incredibly responsible and hardworking, too!

I feel honored that he chose my class to visit.  I am happy that I positively impacted his elementary education and hope to positively impact his teacher education, as well.   Experiences such as this are the rewards of teaching.

 

8 thoughts on “When Students Return as Adults #SOL19

  1. What an honor! His visit is testament to the impact you have had on his life and his aspirations. As the saying goes, we don’t often get to see the fruits of the seeds we plant; I’m glad you were able to enjoy this moment!

  2. It says a whole lot that he sought you out for a classroom to visit, among the dozens of teachers he had through school! I agree — it’s inspiring to see former students channel their talents back into classrooms. A few years ago, I went to a workshop and ended up next to a young teacher. She had a nametag, but I didn’t recognize the name. We made small talk for a bit as others were arriving. Then, she said, “You’re Mr. Carlson, aren’t you?” Turns out she was Jenny, whom I had taught about 15 years earlier during her 6th-grade year. I would’ve recognized her last name in a heartbeat, but she’d married and changed the name. It was wonderful to connect with her!

    • I love that story, Daven! How fun that must have been! I bet that made the workshop all the more memorable.

  3. What a wonderful experience! Your classroom sounds like such a warm, inviting place that provides students with opportunities for learning that resonate across the years. Casey knew exactly where to go to learn about teaching!

    • I can’t even begin to tell you how much I LOVE that! Being a grandteacher is almost as fun as being a grandmother!

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