Notes And Letters: Letter To My Former English Teacher

"Someday, you'll gonna be a prose or poetry writer."  

A word from an English teacher. A vivid memory that still owns a special place in my heart and mind. 

It was year 1992.  I'm a sophomore student. The time then was 9:00 o'clock in the morning. English class ongoing. 

The lesson was all about "adjectives". She got us think of an adjective word. From that adjective we've chosen we need to used every letter of that word and form a one stanza poem. 

And so the eager me hurried to get my pen and a piece of paper. The word I selected was "FAST". 

I started digging my thoughts, trying to come up with rhyming words to complete that one stanza requirement. Being in the star section - the cream of the crop, I need to step up my game or else I'll be lagging behind some of my brilliant classmates. Afraid that I might end up submitting last, I quickly thought of words that would complete the stanza. Never did I realized that when I passed that piece of paper - that one fourth piece of paper - I'd be seeing my paper as the first one being submitted.

So my English teacher started reading my one stanza poem.  And she ended up saying those words above. It was a boost to me - a real boost that is. Forgive me guys, the only lines I'd ever recall was this: "Flying birds are untouchable" - and the rest of the lines I completely forgot. As much as I wanted to share with you the whole stanza, I really cannot remember it now. But the compliment that my teacher rewarded me stayed permanently that up to now still lodge into my head. And every time I write a poem, I always remember her words to me. 

So, I'm writing her a letter - a letter showing my gratitude and heartfelt thanks. 

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Dear English Teacher, 

Circa 1992 is the year I was once your English student. 

That somehow nerdy-looking thin boy has been inspired by your way of teaching. Of how you encourage us to study hard. Of how you made us feel that learning the language isn't that hard if we'll just put our heart into it. 

I can still recall how you'd assign as to write a friendly letter to some of your students in your former school in Manila as your way of exercising our young minds and brings out our creative skills through letter writing. How you'd assign us with an oratorical piece and let us deliver it in front of the class using an elevated platform. How I managed to do it - I don't wanna remember. The shivers in my body made me choke and forgot few lines. Yet, instead of showing disappointment with my performance, you'd even assisted me until I finish the last part. And with my perseverance and your untiring support, I was able to finish the English class with an average grade of 92%. 

You've built not only my confidence but the entire class as well. How we look forward to seeing you after our first class in the morning - Math - because you always have something surprising in store for our daily lesson. How you made some of my over-lazy classmates study their lessons and improve their performance was such a feat only a devoted teacher can achieve. 

For all that you've done - molding and shaping - our young minds for our future, I am forever grateful for the chance that you had been my teacher. I may not be the popular prose or poetry writer today, but I'm seizing the moment of being a person who loves writing. And that's because you've done so much in my young student's life that I brought those lessons in my present life. 

I remember you when I had my first English teaching stint in one of the academic institution in the south of Manila. Though I never dreamt of being a teacher - because my first love was "Engineering and Journalism then, but when I was given the opportunity to impart what I know - I did my best - and was rewarded with accolades and compliments I never had received in my field of work  in the corporate. 

It's overly satisfying and utterly emotional seeing my former students videotaping their send-off messages when I was about to leave school for work abroad. I wanted to cry but I didn't as I don't want them to cry a river more. Some really cry out loud and pleaded for me not to leave the school but I just need to go. My way of appeasing them was the assurance that I'd stay in contact with them once I'm away. In fact I did and even until now that some of them are in college, we're still connected. 

Truly, I could never have been good in any of my endeavor if I didn't listen and hear your words of wisdom. My gratitude is high heaven and I'm waiting for that moment until we see each other again to personally warm you with that utmost respect and thanks you so deserve. 

I sincerely thank you for enriching my vocabulary. Thank you for the constant belief in me that I will do good in life. With that, I'm forever grateful. 

Your former student, 

Jay

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This letter was inspired by the article I read over the internet about the reviving the lost art of letter writing. I have always been planning to do this kind of entry, I just don't know yet where I should get my motivation. Now that I have it, I think this will occupy my blog in the days to come. I still have to decide whether it'll be a weekly or monthly basis. I need to think first I can faithfully comply. 

For now, it's time to hit the sack and let me end this by saying, "The beauty of someone can always be neatly put in the beauty of words from a the heart of a sincere person." 

Good night and God bless 

Challenge: Do you have your most love former teacher in grade school / high school/ or college? Can you write a letter for them?