Requiem for an educator

There comes a time when teachers may feel like giving up what they do, and take up scorpion petting. I did. Until I received an email...

Dear Ms. Naini,

I hope you've had an amazing two years. It's me, Abigail Tadamala (from your Grade 5K class) I know that I haven't emailed you in a long time, and I apologise profusely; I have so many questions to ask you like, how's Japan? How are your students? How is your school? How are you? You might not know this, but you are a living legend in the Aga Khan, even in Grade 8.

I left school in Grade 5, and then I came back in Grade 7. This is my second year back, and no teacher has been as amazing as you! Not a single day goes without you being mentioned. Like just the other day, we were talking about your AMAZING brownies.

You might be wondering why I decided to write to you after two years; and the reason is that you are one of the most important people in my life. I'm leaving again, this time to Michigan in America, and I realised that your class is where I grew, and your class is what made me into who I am today. Every PTM that we go to my mom tells a teacher, "Abigail had a teacher in grade 5, and I wish Naomi and Caitlin could too." You have been such a positive impact on my life and I couldn't ever thank you in the way you deserve.

Sometimes when I'm confused or I have to do something important, I think what would Miss Naini do? And then I have an immediate solution. Ma'am, I know I probably sounds really cheesy, but the world you opened up for me, and all the thing you did for my grade 5 class and I, is something that remains in my heart forever. You are a light that came into my life. I still remember a lot of the things you taught us. We are doing this poetry portfolio, and I still remember our Maya Angelou lessons, and I remember reading her poem, and making a video and laughing all the time, because you were my teacher, and you are amazing.

I am so sorry for the confusing thoughts, and lack of proper writing skills in this email. But this email has been a long time coming, and I wanted to thank you for all that you have done for me.

P.S. Our grade 5 blog still exists (https://fivecomealive.wordpress.com/)

Best Regards,

Abigail

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