I received an email today from a student I had seven years ago in my Kindergarten class. She moved to another town a few years ago, so I have not seen her for quite some time. You can imagine my surprise when I saw her name in my inbox. Curious, I opened it up right away.
So you’re never gonna guess who it is, but it may or may not be XXXXXXXXXXX Do you remember me!!!!!!
I immediately wrote back to her that of course I remembered her. How could I ever forget her? (Especially considering she wrote her name on the side of a bookcase I still have in my room.) I asked her how she was doing and told her that I missed her.
But, it made me think…how many of my students ask themselves that same question. “Does my teacher still remember me?”
To all of those who may be wondering, here is your answer:
Dear Former Student,
Even though I am no longer your assigned classroom teacher, I will always be your teacher.
Even though I am not responsible for your report card grades, I will always care about how you are doing in school.
Even though I am not there to celebrate your accomplishments, I will always be proud of your achievements.
Even though I am not there to cheer you on when you think you can’t, I will always be the voice inside your head that tells you that you can.
Even though you move to another school, I will always be here if you miss me or need me.
Even though we are no longer together every day, I will always have you in my heart.
Even though I may not recognize your maturing face right away, just say your name and I will always remember you.
Always Your Teacher,
Mrs. McGowan
Dreams So Big... 
Love this open letter. How wonderful.
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One of the hardest parts for me is when I remember the face but at that moment cannot remember the name. Recently, I had the opposite problem. I had a familiar name on a grad school roster but could not be sure which face on the Zoom screen was connected. After class, she stayed on and asked, “Do you remember me?”
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Lovely! I’m connected on Facebook to some of my former Kindergarteners who are now out of college – it is amazing to see them all grown up and I remember them just as if they were 5.
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First off, Julie, let me apologize to you as I have been deleting your blogs daily, not knowing you were again writing your beautiful words. I get literally close to 100 emails a day and they get out of control. However, after talking to your mom yesterday, I felt so bad that I had done so. I was so taken by your words today. I never taught school but taught Sunday school for 21 years and I so remember my students, hoping they are fine and still have enthusiasm for the word of God. I also remember so many of my teachers who made such a difference in my life – Mr. Curran, Miss Toothaker, Mr. Flynn, to name a few. They embraced me, knew I was shy and not too confident and nurtured me not only academically but also emotionally. A teacher influences so many of his/her students in so many ways. Thank God for teachers. I have to say I read your blog with tears in my eyes, but joy in my heart.
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How sweet that this student reached back to you to say hello. You must have made a grand impression. I am 62 years old and I still have fond memories of my first grade teacher. We teachers do make an impression on our students! Love your letter to your students.
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This is beautiful. And we do have an incredible career! To touch so many lives if even for such a short amount of time is the coolest thing in the world! Now it comes down to, what do I want to leave them with? what message do they take from my classroom into their world?
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