http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/recovering-teacher/en-USSquarespace Site Server v5.8.3 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Frances CaballoTue, 01 Sep 2009 16:46:09 +0000http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/recovering-teacher/recovering-teacher.html#comments96989:3082603:comment/5295874Helen O'NeilTue, 04 Aug 2009 19:32:54 +0000http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/recovering-teacher/recovering-teacher.html#comments96989:3082603:comment/5009519
I loved this story and could see the teacher very clearly, almost into his heart.

The greatest thing that ever happened to me as a teacher came about one afternoon, when I wandered into a florist shop after work. The girl behind the counter was Sarah, who had been in my seventh grade class. She had entered the grade mid-year, having just immigrated from Armenia.

It was such fun catching up with her that day in the flower shop. She told me she was in college and seemed to be doing so well. She wrapped up the daisies and when I took out my wallet to pay, she said'Oh,no, Ms. O'Neil. I don't want you to pay. Remember, you gave me your own personal workbook?'

I remembered that there had been no workbooks left. I also remebered I didn't want to give her mine but felt asking another student to share would have made Sarah's adjustment to a new school, within a new culture even harder. I sensed she had to feel as autonomous as possible.

I enjoyed those flowers so much and felt happy that all those years before I had made a kind and wise decision for someone. I hope the teacher in the article came to see what he had done for others, at least some of them. I hope those students who appreciated him told him so or, if they didn't, that they tell someone else, who's still around, what they mean to them.]]>Jo Scott-CoeTue, 04 Aug 2009 19:14:20 +0000http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/recovering-teacher/recovering-teacher.html#comments96989:3082603:comment/5009448Kathleen MeltonTue, 21 Apr 2009 02:07:15 +0000http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/recovering-teacher/recovering-teacher.html#comments96989:3082603:comment/3788399Stacy DaviesMon, 20 Apr 2009 19:41:01 +0000http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/recovering-teacher/recovering-teacher.html#comments96989:3082603:comment/3779997