Dear Mme Ling,
I know you don’t remember me but when I was eleven and twelve, you were the “scariest” woman I knew. You were my grade six and seven teacher in the Late French Immersion program at Parkland Elementary in Coquitlam from 1985 to 1987.As a teacher during these turbulent times in public education, where I read and hear all the horrible things that people say about our profession, I wanted to take this opportunity to give you my heart felt thanks.
It wasn’t until much later in life that I really began to appreciate the impact that you would have on my life nor would I fully understand the truly remarkable teacher that you were. I think about you frequently, with fondness, and how much you have contributed to what I have accomplished in my life.
In two years, I went from not understanding any French to being nearly fully bilingual. I have only you – and myself – to credit for this outstanding accomplishment. You guided me through my language acquisition while, at the same time, teaching me all of the required curriculum for those grade levels. Until I had to do it myself as a teacher, I did not really understand the amount of work and resourcefulness it requires to teach children – with a very limited language base – about Canadian government, world cultures, math and science (to name just a few) in a program with scant resources. And this was at a time without all the technology we have available to us today. Truly an amazing feat.
When I say that you were the scariest woman that I knew, what I mean is that, for an eleven and twelve year old girl, you were the strongest and toughest woman I had ever met. We were a challenging class and gave you a run for your money but you took it all in stride. You held me and every other student in the class accountable for our behaviour towards each other, you and even ourselves. Even when I was disrespectful and not very polite, you did not speak down to me. When I cheated on a book report and watched the movie instead, you called me on it. When I was “sick” a little too long, you called me on it. When a particularly problematic boy (who was a full head taller than you) ate raw onions and breathed in your face or taped his desk shut and flung it across the room, you acted firmly and swiftly but with dignity. And you always, always treated us with respect.
As an adult, I don’t remember you as scary but as a dedicated professional who spoke up for her convictions, taught young people to do the same and to think critically. You also taught me not to mince words: to say what you mean – even if it is not always popular. You did, indeed, help me to become the strong woman that I am today.
I will never forget the time when you showed up at my house on a weekend evening. I was terrified that you were there to speak to my parents. Imagine my relief (and shock!) when I realized you were delivering a pizza. Not until I was an adult did it occur to me that you were working two jobs to support your family or pay off student loan debt.
As a single parent, when I decided to go back to school and become a teacher, I was so grateful for the strong foundation that I had been given in your class: the work ethic and my French language. I was able to get my education degree in French language education. Without that specialization, I would not have been able to go straight into a full time teaching position bypassing years of inconsistent work as a TOC. After five years of teaching, I have had (although not total) more job security than most of my colleagues. With a child to support and student loan debt, I am so thankful. I truly believe that you played a large role in it.
I was blessed to have many wonderful teachers in my thirteen years in public education in BC. You, along with many others, helped me grow and develop and discover who I am. It wasn’t all the “stuff” that you taught me that has stayed with me but, rather, the skills to communicate, listen, learn, think, grow and develop. They say that it takes a community to raise a child. For two years, you saw me more than any other adult in my life and the part that you played has had a lasting impact on me. Because of you, I chose this profession that is sometimes difficult and discouraging but, also because of you, I have a job that I love. I am thankful that I have the same privilege to play such an important role in the lives of so many children and hope that I am even half the teacher that you are.
So, if you – like me – get discouraged by all the nasty things people say about teachers, please remember that there is at least one student out there who gives thanks for you every day. I am proud to be your colleague.
