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Letter to the Hypothetical Un-Graduate

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Letter to the Hypothetical Un-Graduate

How could you? Seriously... How could you? How could you give up this close to the end? How can you just give up?

How could you not come to school? How can you not see how important this is for you? Don't you realize what will happen if you don't graduate? What do you think you are going to do? Can't you see what I see? What do you think your life is going to look like in 5 years? In 10 years? In 20 years? Can't you see that this piece of paper is your ticket to greatness?

I know people think I don't care. They think I'm here for a paycheck. They think I'm here because it is a nine month job or easy money. But... you know me. You know that I've called home. I know - that you know - that I care about you. Because I do. You know those times I've ended up in your classroom? It was to see if you were in school. You know those times I've been behind you in the hall? It was to make sure you were going to class. I lay awake at night wondering about your future. I e-mail and call other teachers to check on you. I cut you extra breaks because I want you to push past this and succeed.
But I can't do it alone. And I'm not talking about the alone that comes from other teachers not doing enough or your parents not doing enough... because at this point, you have to do some things for yourself. I can't give my 100% and your 100% at the same time.

I know you see this place as a jail, but I promise you ... this is your freedom.

Can't you see that I'm offering you the world? You just have to take it. ...

It devastates me that you won't.

The hypothetical letter... to the hypothetical ungraduate... written by me ... on behalf of teachers everywhere.

2 Comments:

At May 18, 2011 at 8:42 PM , Hilary said...: LOVE IT!!!!
At May 19, 2011 at 3:31 AM , Non-Stop Mom said...: Love this. It should be mandatory reading for all high school students.

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: Name: Kristen

After the birth of my third child, Alexander, my perspective on life changed. He has Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome and has taught me many life lessons. When I returned to teaching, I was looking for a way to connect to my students. I started writing letters. 3 years later - and hundreds of letters later - students now stop in to see the letters. With a lot of prompting, I decided to post some. I hope you enjoy..

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