Reconnecting with a High School Teacher

A few months ago, I messaged a teacher I had in high school who made a real difference in my life. I asked if she taught at my high school, as an ice breaker. Last month, she accepted my message request, but didn't write anything back.

The reason why I wanted to connect was to thank her for helping me through a difficult during my last high school years 20 years ago. I wrote a letter, but I'm not sure if I want to send it. Here's what I wrote:

Thank you for accepting my message.

I’m not sure if you remember me (and it’s okay if you don’t since you have taught hundreds of people), but I was a student at St. Mark’s from 1992-1998. In the last two years of my time there, you offered extra help after school and looked after the computer lab. I would sometimes come to use the computer to work on my assignments. The last couple of years of high school were very trying for me, as I was dealing with crippling depression and social anxiety. I honestly dreaded almost every day I had to go to school.


I was having a really bad day and you noticed that I wasn’t myself. You asked me to come to your desk and tell you what was wrong, and I pretty much broke down and told you what was going on. We talked back and forth for a while what I was experiencing and you gave me the strength to open up and tell people what I was going through, something I still do to this day. Because of you, I was able to talk to my guidance counsellor about what I was experiencing, and from there I spoke to my doctor and my family.

I just wanted to thank you properly for being there for me at my time of need. Life still isn’t easy, but I at least have the tools and confidence to deal with whatever life throws at me, thanks, at least in part, to you. I was going through a very dark time then, and if you hadn’t taken the time to care, I might not be here today to share my experience. If ever you are having a bad day, please take solace in the fact you made a world of difference in my life.

Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for what you did, Miss D.

Sincerely,

(my name)

I think that this is a lovely and deeply meaningful message that every good teacher would be thrilled to receive.

Yes please send that to her , she helped you so much! Maybe she is going through something and getting that message will be a huge gift for her.

I think more people need to do kind things.

Absolutely send it, I'm sure she would love to know she helped someone and left a mark on their lives for the better.

That’s a wonderful message. Do send it. Trust me on that.

Lovely! As a teacher I’d be honoured to receive such a message

I would be honored to receive a heartfelt message like that.

Response:

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That was a great letter and I'm glad you got a response!

Here's a funny story.

About 10 years ago, I was in a Facebook for alumni from my high school. An admin asked the question, "Who was your favourite teacher, and why?" I answered, "Miss D was HOT!!!" (She was, and still is, a very pretty woman). A couple of days later, I get a notification that says, "[Miss D] liked your comment." I felt a little awkward, and NO I didn't dare bring it up in our conversation!!!!