I often forget....

I often forget as an educator that the ideas and skills that we work on over the course of a semester or a few years with a student does make a difference. As educators, we send students out into the world hoping that we make a difference in our students' lives, but may never find out if this is true. Furthermore, most of the time, our students may not realize that their skills have been improved until several years later and in some cases, never at all. Yet, sometimes, our students do realize and these are the moments that we live for as educators! I am not in education to make money; I am in education to changes lives. When these moments happen, all of the sacrifice and hard work makes it worth it. Here is one of these moments:

Hey there teacher! I know it's been a long time since you graded my papers and speeches, but I wanted you to know I just finished my MBA!!! Thanks for all your encouragement during my undergrad. You set me up for success, several teachers commented on how well I wrote! Hope all is well with you! Thanks again!