And then you wake up.... and try it again

When I was trying to decide if I wanted to be a teacher, I went and observed a teacher who is now my very close friend. I will never forget what he said on the first day I ever observed him. I had spent all day with him and witnessed just how much work and frustration went into being a teacher. I was thinking, "Can I really do this? How can he do this?" As we were walking out of the school together that day, he said, "Well, there you have it! And then you wake up... and try it again." Five years later, that rings true.

Today after class, one of my students pressed a folded up piece of paper into my hand and ran out the door. When I opened it up, I found the letter below. Yes, the grammar is deplorable, yes, it's all one sentence, and yes, I'm a writing teacher. But at the sake of my own reputation, I have to show you this letter. It just about melted my heart. To her credit, Fernanda is an English Language Learner who is trying very hard. I taught her sister in seventh grade four years ago. Her sister is now nine months pregnant. It's hard to realize what we're up against, but things like this make me want to get up... and try it again!

Dear: Mrs. Norwood

I couldent wait to right you diz letter I want to tell you how amaze I am that you are my teacher to be honest I love how you teach us miss you'r also a teacher that I trust your a great teacher your pretty, funny, smart, a caring person thats all I have to say miss I got a lot of other great facts about you & there a lot I will probably will right 100 pages of facts about you well thats all miss love you oh also your one of my favorite teacher.

4rm Fernanda