bradshreffYesterday, as you probably already know, I introduced the TEDx project to my students.. In addition, I sent an email to their parents that included the link to the project details as well as a quick rundown of what the project entails.
The parent responses have been awesome. I sent this out to about 60 parents at 2:30. All night I received responses from parents (and students) that ranged from simple “Thanks” to full length descriptions of how appreciative they were, how they can’t wait to read their child’s blog, and even that they hope to learn about the technology from their kids.
I want to focus on two cool responses.
One parent replied with a thanks and a quick explanation about how excited about this project her daughter was. As I was explaining to a non-teacher friend last night, that’s the dream, right? We (teachers) all love to believe about this world in which our students go home and are excited about what they learned in our class, what they’re going to be creating, and what we taught them. We want them to be excited. Here I am with written proof, from a parent, that their child came home and talked, excitedly, about what they were doing in my room! So cool.
This particular parent also CCed her reply to my principal and the AP over my campus. Hey, public glory is never a bad thing, right? My principal emailed me back a quick “Great job, brother!” (It’s how he writes most of his emails. I work for a great boss), but he also forwarded it along to people that run Digital Curriculum at the county level (people that make way more money than me). I’m sitting in a Digital Curriculum training this morning, and one of the county observers hears my name and says “Oh, you’re the one doing TEDx!” News apparently gets around quick downtown.
The response I really want to focus on is the one that made my eyes sweat (I don’t cry of course). This particular student is in my 1st period class (see previous post for my thoughts on that group). This particular student isn’t outspoken, in fact she rarely participates in group discussions, but she’s one of those students that pays attention, even has visible physical reactions, to the content. Still, she isn’t a kid I would have expected this response from. **I have removed student and parent names in the quote below for obvious reasons.
Thanks for sharing! STUDENT tried to tell me all about it after school today, before I opened the email. She is really excited and looking forward to it! She mentioned that you are a really great teacher and that she would miss you next year. So thank you for all you do!
I only wish all teachers could ignite the kids and excite them about school:) we have had a rough year, lots of changes and lots of students. We have decided to move STUDENT to CHARTER SCHOOL for next year, I believe she will really shine there and realize her potential.She has said many kind things about you and I just wanted you to know that you have made a lasting impression on her:)Thanks again for all you do-PARENT-STUDENT’s mom 1st period